CHAPTER III
SURPRISING BOB
Betty shook back her hair and rose to kiss the gray-haired gentleman whoput an arm affectionately about her.
"I heard about that blast," he said, and smiled good-humoredly. "LeeChang was much worried when I went in to dinner. His one consolation wasthat you had eaten the tart before the oil began to fall."
"We were all right, only of course it rather daubed us up," said Bob."Betty had to wash her hair."
"My hair's nothing," declared Betty scornfully. "But my brand-new blousethat I worked on for two days--you ought to see it, Uncle Dick! GrandmaWatterby thinks maybe she can get the oil out, but she says the color maycome out, too."
Mr. Gordon sat down on the step and took off his hat.
"You've a clear claim for damages, Betty," he assured his niece gravely."To save time, I'm willing to make good; what does a new blouse cost?"
"This wasn't exactly new," explained Betty fairly. "Aunt Faith had thematerial in her trunk for years. But it was the first thing I ever made,and I was so proud of it."
"Well, we'll see that you have something to take its place," promised heruncle, drawing her down beside him. "I have some news for you, Betsey.When you go East next week, I'm going, too. That is, as far as Chicago.From there I take a little run up into Canada."
"But you said you'd spend Christmas with us!" argued Betty.
"Oh, Christmas is months off," returned Mr. Gordon comfortably. "I expectto be back in the States long before the holidays. And Bob's aunts havefinally made up their minds where they want to spend the winter. AuntFaith has commissioned me to buy two tickets for southern California."
"But there's Bob!" Betty gazed anxiously at her uncle. "What's Bob goingto do without any one at all, Uncle Dick?"
Mr. Gordon looked at Bob, and an unwilling grin turned the corners of theboy's mouth.
"That's the way he's been acting all day," scolded Betty. "What ailshim? I think it's silly to sit there and smile when there's nothing tosmile about."
"I suspect Bob doesn't take kindly to secrets," returned her uncle."Suppose you 'fess up, Bob, and when the atmosphere is clear we can havea little talk."
"All right," said Bob, with manifest relief. "I kept quiet only because Iwanted to be sure I was going, sir. Betty, Mr. Littell wrote me about amilitary academy in the East and put me in, touch with several boys whoattend it. Uncle Dick thinks it is just the school for me, and I'm going.Timothy Derby is one of the boys. He's a son of the man I worked for inWashington."
"How splendid!" With characteristic enthusiasm Betty forgot her momentarydispleasure at Bob's method of keeping a secret. "When are you going,Bob? Where is the school?"
"That's the best part," said Bob boyishly. "It's the Salsette MilitaryAcademy, Betty, and it's right across the lake from the Shadyside school.All five of the boys Mr. Littell told me of are friends of the Littellgirls, so you see it is going to be great fun all around."
"I never knew of anything so nice!" declared Betty. "Never! So you knewwhen I told you about Shadyside that you were going to be so near!"
Bob nodded.
"Have to keep an eye on you," he said with mock seriousness, at whichBetty made a little face.
"You haven't much time to get ready," Mr. Gordon warned them. "The auntswill leave Wednesday and our train pulls out at ten twenty-six on Fridaymorning. Of course you will do your shopping in Washington and be guidedby the advice of Mr. and Mrs. Littell. I wish I could go to Washingtonwith you, but that is impossible now. You must write me faithfully, bothof you, though I suppose we'll have to expect the same delay betweenletters that we've experienced before. Most of my time will be spent on afarm thirty miles from a railroad. If you get into any difficulties, goto the Littells, and for little troubles, help each other."
Mr. Gordon went on to say that while Bob and Betty were independent to agreater degree than most boys and girls of their age, the same force ofcircumstances that made this possible also gave them a heavierresponsibility. He explained that each was to have an allowance and askedthat each keep a cash account to be submitted to him on his return fromCanada, not, he said, to serve as a check upon extravagant or foolishexpenditures, but that he might be better able to advise them and topoint out avoidable mistakes.
After supper that night he drew the boy aside for further discussion.
"I'm really leaving Betty in your charge," he said, and Bob stood fullytwo inches taller. "Not that I think she will get into any serioustrouble, but there's no telling what a bevy of high-spirited girls willthink up. And you know what Betty is when once started, she can not bestopped. I rely on you to keep her confidence and hold her back if sheseems inclined to act rashly. The Littells are splendid people, but theywill be five hours' distance away, while you will be across the lake. Iput my trust in you, Bob."
Bob silently resolved to be worthy. Betty had been his first friend, andto her he gave all the pent-up loyalty and starved affection of a lonelyboy nature. When Mr. Gordon came into his life, and especially when hewas made his legal guardian, Bob experienced the novel sensation ofhaving some one interested in his future. Though the various older menhe had met were more than willing to help him, Mr. Gordon was the onlyone to succeed in winning over Bob's almost fanatical pride and the ladwho admired, respected, and loved him, would have done anything in theworld for him.
The next few days were extremely busy ones for Bob, the aunts, and Betty.Miss Hope and Miss Charity were so excited at the prospect of a journeythat they completely lost their faculty for planning, and most of thework fell on Bob and Betty. Luckily there was little packing to be done,for the few bits of old furniture were to be sold for what they wouldbring, and the keepsakes that neither Miss Hope nor her sister couldbring themselves to part with were stored in several old trunks to behoused in the Watterby attic.
"Betty, child," her uncle's voice broke in upon Betty's orderly packingone afternoon, "I know you're going to be disappointed, but we mustn'tcry over what can't be helped. I've had a wire and must leave forChicago Wednesday morning. You and Bob will have to make the Washingtontrip alone."
"I knew it was too good to be true," mourned Betty, a tear dropping onthe yellowed silk shawl she was neatly folding. "Oh, dear, Uncle Dick, Idid want you to go with us part of the way!"
"Better luck next time," replied Mr. Gordon. "There's no use grumblingover what you can't change."
This was his philosophy, and he followed it consistently. Bob and Betty,though keenly disappointed they were not to have his companionship, triedto accept the situation as cheerfully as he did.
The packing was hastened, and soon the old farmhouse was stripped anddismantled, the trunks stored in the Watterby attic, the furniturecarried off to the homes of those who bought it, and the key deliveredto Dave Thorne, the section foreman, who would deliver it to thesuperintendent.
The hospitable Watterbys had insisted that the travelers should all staywith them until the time for their several departures, and Bob and Bettyhad a last glorious ride on Clover and the ungainly white horse whilethe aunts rested and put the final touches to their preparations fortheir journey.
The next morning all was bustle and hurry, for the aunts were to start ontheir trip and Mr. Gordon must be off to Chicago. Miss Hope insisted onbeing taken to the station an hour before their train was due, and when apuff of steam up the track announced the actual approach of the train thetwo old ladies trembled with nervousness and excitement. Mr. Gordonguided them up the steps of the car, after a tearful farewell to Bob andBetty, and saw that they were settled in the right sections. He spoke tothe conductor on the way out, and tipped the porter and maid liberally tolook after the travelers' comfort.