Pond
himself! Cousin Ann had arranged it somehow. It took Cousin Ann to fix
things! During recess, as they were playing still-pond-no-more-moving on
the playground, Mr. Pond and Uncle Henry drew up to the edge of the
playground, stopped their horse, and, talking and laughing together,
watched the children at play. Betsy looked hard at the big, burly, kind-
faced man with the smiling eyes and the hearty laugh, and decided that
he would "do" perfectly for 'Lias. But what she decided was to have
little importance, apparently, for after all he would not get out of the
wagon, but said he'd have to drive right on to the village. Just like
that, with no excuse other than a careless glance at his watch. No, he
guessed he wouldn't have time, this morning, he said. Betsy cast an
imploring look up into Uncle Henry's face, but evidently he felt himself
quite helpless, too. Oh, if only Cousin Ann had come! SHE would have
marched him into the schoolhouse double-quick. But Uncle Henry was not
Cousin Ann, and though Betsy saw him, as they drove away,
conscientiously point out little 'Lias, resplendent and shining, Mr.
Pond only nodded absently, as though, he were thinking of something
else.
Betsy could have cried with disappointment; but she and the other girls,
putting their heads together for comfort, told each other that there was
time enough yet.
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