Page:Carroll Rankin--Dandelion Cottage.djvu/287

 Rh  instantaneous flight would be possible in case Mr. Downing should stroll cottage-ward.

Their motive was good. When Mr. Black returned, if he ever should, Bettie meant that he should find the little yard in perfect order

"We'll keep to our part of the bargain, anyway," said Bettie, as the four girls were making their first cautious tour of inspection about the cottage yard. "There's lots of work to be done."

"Yes," agreed Jean, "we said we'd keep this yard nice all summer and it wouldn't be right not to do it."

"I wonder if we ought to ask Mr. Downing?" asked conscientious Bettie, stooping to pull off some gone-to-seed pansies.

"Perhaps you'd like the job!" suggested Marjory, with mild sarcasm.

"My sakes!" said Mabel, "I wouldn't go near that man again if I was going to swallow an automobile the next moment if