"She thinks we threw tar
on her porch. 'Sides, can't Mickey go see her?"
"No, we want to have it all fixed for him," explained Sister
patiently. "Mickey is scared of her, too, and maybe he wouldn't
go. But if she says yes, he can work for her, he'll go work 'cause
he wants the shoes. Come on, Roddy, I'm not afraid."
"Will you do the talking?" suggested Brother.
Sister promised to "do the talking," and without saying anything
to anyone in the house, the small boy and girl set out for the
"terrible" Miss Putnam's.
In her heart of hearts, Sister was very much afraid of the cross
old lady, and when they turned in at her gate she was almost ready
to run home. But she remembered Mickey and how sadly he needed the
new shoes, so she lifted the brass knocker on the white door and
waited as bravely as she could.
"Land sakes!" gasped Miss Putnam when she came to the door. "What
on earth do you want?"
This wasn't a very gracious welcome, and Sister stuttered a little
from nervousness as she said they wanted to speak to her.
"Come in then," said Miss Putnam shortly. "Mind you wipe your
feet, and don't scratch the rounds of the chairs with your heels."
She led them into a tiny sitting-room and Brother and Sister sat
down on two hard, straight chairs while Miss Putnam took the only
rocker.
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