He couldn't talk, of course, on the
everyday-side of the ivory doors; but with the new insight she had
acquired into his character, Sara felt sure his expression meant, "I
think I'd rather just sit in the corner. At my age a little excitement
goes a long way." As for the Kewpie, Sara was determined to take him,
as a reward for the distinguished fortitude he had shown the day
before; and the Baby, on the other hand, had behaved so badly that she
felt uneasy about leaving him. If he should act that way again--for
instance, when Lucy disturbed him in dusting the room--why, Lucy might
spank him! So the Kewpie was rewarded for being good, and the Baby was
rewarded for being bad, and Sara slipped through the ivory doors with
both of them tucked under one arm.
Almost immediately a Gunkus in livery stepped up and handed her a note
from Avrillia. He made a low bow, holding his shoe in his right hand
over his heart.
It was written on a rose-leaf, of course, and it had a delightful
faint odor, not only of roses, but of isthagaria. Sara opened it, and
read,
"We're leaving on the early boat. Would you like to go with us? We'll
be gone all day."
There was no answer to that but to run as fast as she could down the
little curly path. This morning it was not so much curly as melodious;
but Sara was in such a hurry that she hardly noticed.
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