Laddie: A True Blue Story. Stratton-Porter Gene

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      CHAPTER I

       Little Sister

       Table of Contents

      "And could another child-world be my share,

       I'd be a Little Sister there."

      "Have I got a Little Sister anywhere in this house?" inquired Laddie at the door, in his most coaxing voice.

      "Yes sir," I answered, dropping the trousers I was making for Hezekiah, my pet bluejay, and running as fast as I could. There was no telling what minute May might take it into her head that she was a little sister and reach him first. Maybe he wanted me to do something for him, and I loved to wait on Laddie.

      "Ask mother if you may go with me a while."

      "Mother doesn't care where I am, if I come when the supper bell rings."

      "All right!" said Laddie.

      He led the way around the house, sat on the front step and took me between his knees.

      "Oh, is it going to be a secret?" I cried.

      Secrets with Laddie were the greatest joy in life. He was so big and so handsome. He was so much nicer than any one else in our family, or among our friends, that to share his secrets, run his errands, and love him blindly was the greatest happiness. Sometimes I disobeyed father and mother; I minded Laddie like his right hand.

      "The biggest secret yet," he said gravely.

      "Tell quick!" I begged, holding my ear to his lips.

      "Not so fast!" said Laddie. "Not so fast! I have doubts about this. I don't know that I should send you. Possibly you can't find the way. You may be afraid. Above all, there is never to be a whisper. Not to any one! Do you understand?"

      "What's the matter?" I asked.

      "Something serious," said Laddie. "You see, I expected to have an hour or two for myself this afternoon, so I made an engagement to spend СКАЧАТЬ