"Why not?"

"Because I didn't know what to say to her, if she should ask me where you
two were."

"Well, wouldn't you have told her the truth?"

"Of course, I would have had to tell her. That's why I've come back to look
for you. I've run all the way. Oh, please, come now; won't you?"

My brother seemed to hesitate.

"You know I hated to disobey," added Paula, with tears in her eyes, "and at
the same time, I don't like to be a 'tattle-tale.' Won't you please come
home now with me?"

Louis was a good-hearted lad in spite of his shortcomings. Therefore,
seeing his young cousin beginning to cry, he said, "All right, let's go.
Anyway, I can't play the way I want, especially with a pair of youngsters
like you two. But, look here, Paula, you forgot the ladder. Take it away
now, if you want us to play up to all your nonsense."

Paula, grabbing the ladder, simply said, "Oh, thank you so much," as she
dried her tears. I went meanwhile and filled the watering-pot while Louis
tried to restore the crushed pansies as best he could.

"There you are," said Louis finally, "Teresa will never know." And off we
all three raced for the house.

"And so you are back already," remarked Teresa as we invaded the kitchen.