The Mandie Collection by Lois Gladys Leppard Read Free Book Online Page B

plan on going back there, ever.”
    â€œBut I’ve got to go back to look for the puppy,” Mandie told her, going over to the bureau and picking up her brush to straighten her blond hair.
    Celia came to join her, brushing her own auburn curls and preparing to tie her hair back with a ribbon. Suddenly she turned to look carefully at Mandie. “Where is your locket, Mandie?” she asked.
    Mandie quickly felt for the locket as she gazed into the mirror. “Oh, Celia, I’ve lost it!” she cried, examining the collar of her dress. “What will I do? I have to go back now. You know it has the only picture of my father in it that I have. Oh, goodness!” Tears came into her blue eyes.
    â€œMandie, I understand, I understand,” Celia said, trying to comfort her. “And I’ll even go back with you to look for it. This is much more important than a puppy.”
    â€œYou will? Oh, thank you, Celia!” Mandie replied, turning to give Celia a quick hug. “Thank you.”
    â€œWe won’t be able to go back until after supper, and it’s going to be awfully dark then,” Celia noted nervously.
    â€œWe’ll take a lantern, that’s what we’ll do,” Mandie decided.
    â€œBut how are we going to get permission to go back to that alley?” Celia asked.
    â€œWe won’t get permission because it would not be granted. So we’ll just wait until everyone goes to their rooms after supper and then we’ll slip out,” Mandie replied.
    Suddenly there was a loud meow from under the big bed. Mandie rushed over to kneel on the floor.
    â€œSnowball!” she cried excitedly as she held up the edge of the counterpane. “Come out from under there. How did you get here? Celia, it’s Snowball. Where did he come from?”
    Celia joined her as the white cat slowly made its way out from under the bed. Mandie snatched him up and squeezed him tight, causing him to loudly protest.
    â€œI wonder how he got here,” Mandie said again, sitting on the floor with the cat in her lap. She certainly was happy to see her cat but could not figure out how he got to their room. Then the bell inthe backyard announced supper. The girls made sure Snowball was shut up in the room and went down to the dining room.
    Miss Hope met them in the front hallway. “I appreciate your running that errand for me, young ladies,” she told them as they walked toward the dining room.
    â€œYou are welcome,” Mandie quickly said. “But, Miss Hope, how did Snowball get in my room? I mean, he was at Grandmother’s house.”
    Miss Hope smiled and said, “My sister thought she heard a mouse while she has been staying in her room all day, so I took it on myself to send for your cat. I will inform my sister after supper that he is here.”
    â€œOh, thank you, Miss Hope.” Mandie beamed. Then she said mischievously, “I’m so glad Miss Prudence thought she heard a mouse.” All three laughed.
    As soon as the evening meal was over, the girls went back to their room with food for Snowball. Someone had already placed a sandbox in the girls’ room for the cat.
    They made their plans to venture forth into the alley again and settled down to wait till all was quiet.

CHAPTER FIVE
    OUT IN THE NIGHT
    Not long after Mandie and Celia went to their room, there was a knock on the door. Mandie opened it to find Miss Hope standing outside.
    â€œCome in, Miss Hope,” Mandie invited, opening the door wide.
    Miss Hope remained in the hallway. “Thank you, Amanda, but I’ve only come to say that my sister asked if you would agree for Snowball to spend the night in the kitchen. She is hoping he will catch the mouse she thinks she heard in the wall. Mice automatically come to food, you know, and she thinks the kitchen would be the place it would go after everyone goes to bed and all the lights are out,” she explained.
    â€œOh yes,