And Bet tried to make herself speak naturally, "We found the fan, Bob! Isn't it great!"
"By Jimminy! Hurrah for the Merriweather Girls! Where was it? Who took it?"
"We'll give you the whole story later. It's too long to telephone."
"It sounds mysterious, I can hardly wait!"
"Tell Phil, will you, Bob? But don't mention to anyone else just at present. I'll explain when I see you!"
Within an hour the girls heard the familiar tooting of an auto horn in the yard and a loud shout that they recognized as Bob's, followed by Phil's more subdued call.
"Those dear boys!" exclaimed Kit. "You know girls, they haven't been around much lately and I've been ever and ever so lonesome. I--I like boys!"
"You didn't have to tell us that, Kit Patten. Just as if we couldn't see that you're boy crazy!"
"I am not, Joy Evans! I like boys, but I'm not silly over them. I like them the way I do my kid brother at home and the way I like Powder, my pony."
"Oh ho, ho! Wait until I tell Bob and Phil. Kit likes them the same as she does Powder, her pony!"
"Oh Joy, please keep still or they'll hear!" Kit shook the laughing girl but it was too good a joke to keep. As soon as Bet had opened the door, Joy shouted it as a greeting.
"Come on in, boys! Kit says you're most as nice as her pony. Prance right up and get your lump of sugar and your measure of oats!" teased Joy.
Bob and Phil were so relieved that the fan had been found they entered into the fun. Linking arms they went through a pantomime of fiery steeds being held in check with a tight rein.
Bet laughed with the others, but her heart was heavy over Phil's insincerity. Auntie Gibbs, who just naturally liked boys better than girls, was doubled over with laughter at their antics. She buzzed around them, took their hats and coats and hung them up.
"Look at that," pouted Joy. "Why don't you wait on _us_ hand and foot? Aren't we as good as the boys?"
"That's as may be! But girls ought to wait on themselves. That's what!"
"You're perfectly right, Auntie Gibbs!" nodded Bob.
"I'd like to know why? Maybe you think we don't want some attention now and then, even if we are girls," said Kit.
"Go on with your nonsense! I know you're only trying to make fun of me. The boys wouldn't do that!"