rought up two
others since, I am schooled in all there is to know," said Laddie.

"Guess what else!" I cried.

"More?" said Laddie. "Out with it! Don't kill me with suspense."

"Father is going to town Saturday to meet the new teacher and she will
stay at our house as usual."

Leon yelled and fell back in a manger, while Laddie held harness oil to
his nose.

"More!" cried Leon, grabbing the bottle.

"Are you sure?" asked Laddie of me earnestly.

"It's decided. Mother said so," I told him.

"Name of a black cat, why?" demanded Laddie.

"Mother said we were most convenient for the teacher."

"Aren't there enough of us?" asked Leon, straightening up sniffing
harness oil as if his life depended on it.

"Any unprejudiced person would probably say so to look in," said Laddie.

"I'll bet she'll be sixty and a cat," said Leon. "Won't I have fun
with her?"

"Maybe so, maybe not!" said Laddie. "You can't always tell, for sure.
Remember your Alamo! You were going to have fun with the teacher last
year, but she had it with you."

Leon threw the oil bottle at him. Laddie caught it and set it on the
shelf.

"I don't understand," said Leon.

"I do," said Laddie dryly. "THIS is one reason." He hit Peter Dover's
horse another slap.

"Maybe yes," said Leon.

"Shelley to music school, two."

"Yes," said Leon. "Peter Dovers are the greatest expense, and Peter
won't happen but once. Shelley will have at least two years in school
before it is her turn, and you come next, anyway."

"Shut up!" cried Laddie.

"Thanky! Your orders shall be obeyed gladly."

He laid down the pitchfork, went outside, closed the door, and latched
it. Laddie called to him, but he ran to the house. When Laddie and I
finished our work, and his, and wanted to go, we had to climb the
stairs and leave through the front door on the embankment.

"The monkey!" said Laddie, but he didn't get mad; he just laughed.

The minute I stepped into the house and saw the parlour door closed, I
thought of that "something" again. I walked past it, but couldn't hear
anything. Of course mother wanted to know; and she would be very
thankful to me if I could tell her. I went out the front door, and
thought deeply on the situation. The windows were wide open, but I was
far below them and I could only hear a sort of murmur. Why can't
people speak up loud and plain, anyway? Of course they would sit on
the big haircloth sofa. Didn't Leon call