19511011 - Ch. 2 - A Letter
Cindy blinked her eyes, then sat up in bed. Where was she? Oh, yes, now she remembered. She was at Maniac Mansion. Then the adventures of the previous day came rushing back to her. Of Bert who had played the trick on her, of Bobby, the teaser, of Mrs. Brown, always seemingly cheerful and content, and of little Susie, who was always unexpectingly changing the sub just. She wanted to lie there in the warm sunshine, but remembered her promise to go fishing with Bert and Bobby. Therefore she hopped out of bed.
As Cindy dressed she compared her life in her home town to that here. There she had disliked boys and everyone knew it. Wouldn’t they be surprised if they could see here now? She didn’t know whether she really liked Bert or whether they were just friends. It was all so sudden. Well she would find out soon enough. And she did!
Having tidied here room Cynthia ran down two flights of stairs to breakfast. (This was a three story house)
“Mother,” Cindy asked at the breakfast table, “do you really think I should go fishing with Bert and Bobby?” In the city her mother had always been afraid of kidnappers or people of that sort. This was quite a change.
“Yes, I think it would be alright. Yesterday afternoon Mrs. Brown came to see me. She was very nice and pleasant. If she has reared her children like she herself was, I’m sure you would be perfectly safe.”
“Yes,” added Mr. Harrington, and Mr. Green, the doctor, said they attended Church regularly. That’s a good sign.
I know, but it seems so unusual,” mused Cindy.
“I’ll have a surprise for you when you return at noon,” said Mr. Harrington mysteriously.
“Oh, what is it,” cried Cindy.
“It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you, but here’s a clue,” he reason, handing her a letter.
“It’s from Shirley. Is she coming?” exclaimed the excited girl.
“Read and find out,” suggested the father.
“Listen, said Cindy. They had left the table and were now in the living room. Cindy read:
Dearest Cindy,
Aunty and Uncle are going to Alaska so I must have some place to stay while they are gone. Your father offered to let me stay at your house before you left for Maniac Mansion. He is coming to get me Saturday. I would like it very much if you could come with him.
Guess what! Rose Morgan likes Dick Acers. Imagine that!
The Sports Club Girls are getting along fine.
Love,
Shirley
P.S. Tell your father I am very grateful indeed for his kindness.
S.R.
“Well, said Cindy as she folded Shirley Richerson’s letter. “That call off the fishing. “Hey! How about taking Bert, Bobby and Susie along too.”
“That’s a fine idea, complimented her mother, but you must make sure that is alright with Mrs. Brown.”
“I will. Although I’m sure it’ll be okay. I’ll go over right now,” Cindy shouted back as she ran up the stairs.
Mr. and Mrs. Harrington shrugged their shoulders and quietly left the room. Maybe they weren’t meant to understand.
Little Miss Harrington made a pretty picture as she raced to the creek. She had on a bright yellow sundress. It looked very nice with her brown hair and blue eyes. Her sandals made a soft thud on the grass covered trail. Reaching the creek she almost ran into Bert. “Oh,” murmured the excited girl. So out of breath was she, that she couldn’t explain her actions, but sat down to catch her breath.
“Why the rush,” laughed Bobby as he saw her kerplop down. “Fish down’t bite that fast.”
“I can’t fish with you — to-today,” gasped Cindy between breaths.
"Why,” said disappointed Susies.
“Shirley’s coming,” she still had not caught her breath.
“Shirley?” quizzed Bert.
“Shirley who?” finished Bobby.
“Shirley Richerson. She was my best friend in Wrens, where I lived last. Her aunt and uncle are going to Alaska so she’s coming to live with me. Her Mother and Father died when she was five.”
“When is she coming,” asked puzzled Susie.
“As soon as Daddy and I can go get her.”
“What has that got to do with us?” Bert wanted to know.
“We want you to go with us,” surprised Cindy. “That is, if your mother doesn’t mind.”
“What are we waiting for?” exclaimed Susie. “Let’s go ask her.”
Bobby agreed, but Bert was more hesitant and all re-called the fact that he was supposed to hate dislike girls. Good old Bobby, however, persuaded him to come along. There was no trouble in getting Mrs. Brown’s consent.
Mr. Harrington had their station-wagon ready when his daughter and her party reached Maniac Mansion.
“We’re off,” cried Susie when they left.
An hour later, when things began to grow dull, Cindy suggested her own favorite games. The land along each side of the road was divided. Bert and Cindy took the right and Bobby and Susie took the left. They were to see which side was the most prosperous, prettiest, and had the most people.
“I get everything on the road.” Mr. Harrington played too.
Wrens was reached almost immediately after this game started.
As they entered the well known city, Cindy grew more and more excited. She pointed out favored spots to the group. It seemed as the she had been away a year instead of a week.
At last Cindy cried, “There she is! There’s Shirley!” She was out of the car and in the girls arms, almost before the vehicle stopped.