Page:Cheery and the chum (IA cheerychum00yate).pdf/19



P jumped Cheery. She had been sitting still for a very long time for her. "What is it? Where is it?" she asked in a breath.

Aunt Beth's eyes laughed. "You must guess what it is," she said, holding fast to Cheery's hands.

"Aa rabbit?" gasped Cheery.

"No." Aunt Beth shook her head.

"Aa guinea pig?"

"No. One more guess."

"Aa" Cheery was out of guesses, "—a baby alligator?"

Aunt Beth burst out laughing. "A pink and white baby alligator!" she cried. "No, no, honey—come and see," and she led Cheery through the long, wide, cool hall, by the broad stairway with its white balus-