Page:Carroll Rankin--Dandelion Cottage.djvu/319

 Rh  Mrs. Crane had worn over her head was the only wrap she had, but it was not as easily removed as it might have been. It caught on one of her hair pins, which necessitated re-arranging several locks of hair that had slipped from place. This took some time and while she was thus occupied, Mr. Black turned the corner, went swiftly toward the cottage, mounted the steps and rang the door bell.

Mabel received him with even greater solemnity than she had Mrs. Crane.

"I think I'd better take your hat and coat," said she. "We haven't any hat rack, but they'll be perfectly safe on the pink-room bed because we haven't any Tucker babies taking naps on it, to-day."

Mr. Black handed his things to her with an elaborate politeness that equalled her own.

"Marjory!" she whispered as she went with the guest's belongings through the dining room. "He's wearing his dress suit!"