The Mandie Collection Read Online Free PDF

ma’am,” Mandie said, nodding toward a seat near the warmth of the fireplace.
    â€œThank you, Amanda, Celia,” Miss Prudence replied as she sat down in the large chair. She pulled the cover back on the watch she wore on a chain around her neck. “I suppose I am a little early.”
    â€œAnd we were earlier than you. Or maybe Grandmother is just running late,” Mandie remarked as she and Celia sat back down.
    â€œYes, I apologize, Miss Prudence. I am running a little late,” Mrs. Taft said, hurrying into the room. “Those two children are a handful to keep up with.” She went to sit opposite Miss Prudence. Turning back to Celia, she said, “Celia, dear, would you please go let your aunt Rebecca know Miss Prudence has arrived?”
    â€œYes, ma’am,” Celia replied.
    As Celia left the room, Mandie quickly stood and followed her.
    â€œI’ll go with her,” Mandie explained to the two ladies by the fireplace.
    When Celia opened the door, Aunt Rebecca was sitting on the settee by the window, with Mollie on one side of her and Hilda on the other. She was reading to the girls from a book in her lap.
    Mollie instantly jumped down from the settee and ran to Mandie.
    â€œMandie, does my grandmother have leprechauns in this house? Does she? Do you know?” Mollie asked insistently. “Does she?”
    Mandie bent down to embrace the small child. “Of course not, Mollie,” she replied. “Remember, I told you there are no such things as leprechauns.”
    â€œOh, but you said there are no leprechauns in the house where you live,” Mollie replied, shaking her red curls. “Might there be leprechauns in this house then, my grandmother’s house? Do you know? Do you?” She pulled at Mandie’s skirt as Mandie stood.
    â€œMollie, don’t you remember I told you we just don’t have leprechauns in the United States,” Mandie said with a smile.
    â€œMrs. Taft sent us to tell you that Miss Prudence has arrived and they are in the front parlor,” Celia told her aunt.
    â€œThank you, dear,” Aunt Rebecca said, standing up and placing the book on a table nearby. She turned to look at Mollie. “Now, Mollie, we must act like a grown-up lady tonight, remember? Special guests are coming to join us, and we want them to see what a nice little girl you are.”
    Mollie frowned and crossed her feet as she stood there. “Will it be all right if I be asking them whether they be having leprechauns at their house maybe?”
    â€œWe will see,” Aunt Rebecca answered, shaking her head with a smile. She left the room with Mollie following closely behind her.
    Mandie turned to Hilda, who was still sitting on the settee. “Hilda, do you want to come into the parlor with us? Everyone is going in there,” she explained.
    Hilda was always quiet and shy. Mandie and Celia had found her hiding in the attic of their schoolhouse a long time ago, and Mrs. Taft had given her a home. She did not talk, and everyone wondered whether she was able to speak or not. Then at one time a while ago, she had seemed to understand Cherokee when Mandie’s father’s old friend Uncle Ned had been speaking. Her parents had kept her shut up in a room and didn’t know what to do with her. They were greatly relieved when Mrs. Taft took charge of her.
    Mandie watched to see what Hilda would do. The girl pushed back her long dark hair and stood up. The she suddenly ran out ofthe room and disappeared down the hallway in the opposite direction of the parlor.
    â€œOh well,” Mandie said. “I suppose she will come back and join us when she gets ready.”
    As Celia started to go down the hallway toward the parlor, Mandie laid a hand on her arm to stop her. In a low voice she asked, “Do you suppose Miss Prudence has told Grandmother about the alley yet?”
    â€œMaybe,” Celia whispered.
    There was a sound of voices