“Really?” boomed a boyish voice.

     Cynthia (Cindy) gave a half startled, half frightened glance around her.

     “Where are you Who is it?” she managed to say.

     As if answering her question, a hearty laugh came ringing out from behind her.  Turning around she saw a cheerful, brown haired blue eyed boy much amused at his prank.

     “I’m Bert Brown,” came the reply between laughs.  “You certainly looked scared just then.”

     “I-I guess I did,” admitted Cindy.  She was smiling herself now.

     “You’re new around here aren’t you?” said Bert.  He was more calm, but still chuckling.

     Cindy paused, “Well, I guess you might say that although I have been here almost a week two days now.  We moved to Maniac Mansion Monday Wednesday. 

     “Oh.” Bert shook his head understandingly.  “Then you must be Cynthia Harrington.”

     “Yes, I am, but I’m called Cindy.  Do you live around here?  I’ve been very lonesome lately with no one my age to talk to.”

     “I live right across the creek on the next farm.  I come here everyday.  Do you like to fish?”

     “I don’t know,” Cindy started.  Then finished, “I’ve never tried it before.  Where I lived there wasn’t any lake or anything of that sort.  Everyone says it’s loads of fun though.” 

     “It is.  Someday I’ll show you how.”

     “Okay, but now tell me who some of the people are that live around here Do have any brothers or sisters?”

     “Well Yes,” drawled Bert.  “Bobby my brother, and Susie, my sister.”

     “Someone call me?” said a sweet voice.

     Turning both Bert and Cindy saw a cute brown-eyed girl looking at them.

     “Susie! I thought I told you not to follow me,” exclaimed Bert with mingled surprise and disgust.

     “I didn’t,” came the satisfying reply.  “I came to pick some flowers for my playhouse.”

     “Well, okay, but be careful.  You know there are a lot of copperheads around here.”

     “Oh, cried Cindy in surprise.  “Do you mean those awful snakes?”

     “Are you Susie,” Cindy asked the girl.

     “Yes, but my name’s really Susan Kay Brown.”

     “How old are you Susie?” Cindy quizzed.

     “Eight.  I’ll be nine in September though.  How old are you?”

     “Eleven.”

     “Berts twelve, but Bobby’s eleven too Bobby’s eleven too, but Berts twelve,” said the voice. 

     “Oh, Susie, Cindy doesn’t want to know all about the family,” said Bert who was afraid his “pest” was boring his newly acquired friend.

     “That’s okay.  I like people who are bold talkative,” the older girl replied in a relieving tone.

     “I almost forgot to tell you, Bert.  Mother wanted you to go over to those new Harrington’s and meet their daughter.  You’re to invite her to Church,” the orders came much to Bert’s embarrassment.

     Bert said in a small voice.  “This is Cindy Harrington.”

     He was relieved when Cindy broke out into a sweet ringing laugh.  In a few seconds Bert and Susie joined her.

     “It’s very nice of your mother to think of asking me to Church.  As a matter of fact I was just going to ask you where the Church is, “thanked Cindy.

     “Boy!  I sure am glad it is you.  I just knew I’d have to almost fight Bert to get him to go.  He hates doesn’t like girls,” 

chirped Susie.

     Bert’s eyes fell to the ground.  Was he in for it now!  What would Cindy she think?

     “So I notice,” laughed the older girl, wishing to save the boy’s face, but not succeeding.

     Susie sensed that she had said something wrong, but kept still.

     “Hey, what’s the matter here,” said still another voice.  It was Bobby as Bert explained later.  “Say.  Are you Cynthia Harrington?”

     “Yes, and I’ve just found out that Bert, here, hates dislikes girls.” Cindy was still in merriment.

     “Oh-ho! Already calling each other by the first name, huh?” teased the lad.

     Now it was Cindy’s time to be embarrassed.  The color of a pink rose came to her cheeks.

     “I’m sorry I—,” she tried to explain.  

     Bert came to her rescue.  “Quit teasing, Bobby.  She didn’t mean anything.”

     “She’s eleven, too.”  Susie put in,” and it’s Cindy, not Cynthia.”

     “I didn’t mean to embarrass you, Cindy.  I’m awfully sorry,” Bobby apologized.

     “No harm done,” smiled Cindy.” I guess I forgot myself.

     “You must come over and see my playhouse,” cried Susie unexpectedly as she pulled Cindy away.”

     “Okay, but then you must come to see me!  All of you.”

     “Oh boy!  And we can have some cookies too, ‘cause I saw Mommie bake some,” squealed Susie while the merry troop walked along.