Page:Carroll Rankin--Dandelion Cottage.djvu/322

 296  "Je-e-e-e-an!" called a distressed voice from the kitchen.

"Mercy!" exclaimed Jean, making a hurried exit, "I hope that soup isn't scorched!"

"No," said Bettie, slightly aggrieved, "but I wanted a chance, too, to say how-do-you-do to those people before I get all mixed up with the cooking. I thought you were never coming back."

"Well, it's your turn now," said Jean. "Give me that spoon."

Bettie finding both guests seated in opposite corners of the room and apparently deeply interested in the cottage literature—Mr. Black buried in "Dottie Dimple" and Mrs. Crane absorbed in "Mother Goose"—naturally concluded that they were waiting to be introduced, and accordingly made the presentation.

"Mrs. Crane," said she, "I want you to meet Mr. Black, and I hope," added warm-hearted Bettie, "that you'll like each other very much because we're so fond of you