trying to get her jacket on without pausing to do so. At last her arms
were in her sleeves, and she looked ahead to see if any one was in sight.

"She'll be awful cross if I'm late," thought Arabella, and she tried to
run even faster.

There were two reasons for Arabella's haste. The first was that she had
promised to meet Patricia, and the second reason was that it was
Saturday morning, and if she remained at home Aunt Matilda would be sure
to find something for her to do. Of course Aunt Matilda would ask where
she had been, and why she had run out so early, and oh, no end of
questions!

"It'll be by-'m-bye when Aunt Matilda questions me," whispered Arabella,
adding cheerfully: "and by-'m-bye isn't _now_."

"Hello!" called Patricia, "you're some late, but not _very_."

"Why, I'm here as soon as you are," said Arabella.

"I know that," Patricia replied, "but I thought you'd be over to my
house by this time."

"Aren't we 'most there?" questioned Arabella.

"Almost, and not quite," said Patricia, "and anyway I was going to stop
at a store before I go over to my house. Ma gave me some money and I'm
going to spend it for candy. Have you got any to spend?"

Arabella shook her head.