The dark stairs that led to the laundry didn't frighten her one
bit, and while Ralph sat on the last step and held the door open,
Sister snapped on the light and found the blue dress on top of the
basket that stood under the chute. Surely enough, the buttons were
in the pocket just as she had left them. She took the box and
hurried back to Ralph. "Where's Dick going?" she asked him, as
they went upstairs.

"Oh, out somewhere, to see some girl," replied Ralph, who seldom
went to call on a girl. "Scoot now, Sister--I'm going out on the
porch and read. You've made poor old Dick half an hour late as it
is."

Ralph went out on the screened front porch, where Daddy Morrison
was reading beside the electric lamp, and had just picked up his
magazine, when there was a patter of little feet and Sister threw
her arms around him breathlessly.

"I love you, Ralph!" she said quickly, hugging him and then
turning to run.

"Here, here!" cried Daddy Morrison in surprise. "Thought you were
in bed long ago. Don't I get any kissing?"

"Mother is waiting to bathe me," explained Sister hurriedly, "and
Dick wants his collar buttons, so I have to go, Daddy."

Her father caught her as she rushed past him and gave her a quick
kiss.