It was not politeness that prompted Floretta to speak. It was simply curiosity. She was wild to know who the strange-looking child was, and whom she wished to see. "Are you looking for some one?" she asked, at the same time slipping from the hammock, and going so close to Arabella that she could peep into the queer little face. CHAPTER XI ARABELLA MAKES A CALL ARABELLA peered at Floretta through her spectacles, and was tempted not to reply, but after a moment's pause she changed her mind. "I came to see Dorothy Dainty, and Nancy Ferris," she said. "They're out driving," said Floretta. "How do you know?" Arabella asked, rudely. "Because I heard them say they were going, and because I saw them go," was the quick reply. "It's a long way over here, and now I've got to take the same walk back," said Arabella. "They're going to be out all the afternoon," said Floretta, "but why don't you sit down, and rest a while before you go back?" It sounded kind, and Arabella at once seated herself, while Floretta sat near her. She thought it would be great fun to question this odd child, and there was no one near to check her. "Aren't you nearly roasted in that raincoat?" she asked. "Well, I'm not chilly," said Arabella, fixing her sharp eyes upon the other little girl. "Did you think it was going to rain?" was the next question. "You've rubbers, and umbrella." Floretta barely managed to hide the fact that she wanted to laugh. Her question seemed so absurd with the blue sky overhead, and the sunshine everywhere. "I didn't want to wear them," said Arabella, "and I told Aunt Matilda it was too pleasant to rain, but she said you never could tell, and she said, too, that I could wear them, or stay at home, so what could I do?" "_I'd_ have stayed at home," said Floretta, bluntly. "I wouldn't wear raincoat and rubbers, and lug an umbrella for any Aunt Matilda or Aunt Jemima!" "Who is Aunt Jemima?" Arabella asked, stupidly. "I don't know," said Floretta, sharply, "but then, I don't know your Aunt Matilda." She longed to say that she did not want to, but for once she did not quite dare to say what she thought. Then there was an awkward pause. Floretta could not think what to say next, while Arabella did not try. Silence never made her uneasy. She could stare at any one who sat opposite her, for a half-hour, without so much as winking, and it rather amused her if the other person became nervous, and wriggled uneasily beneath her persistent stare. At last Floretta spoke. "You might take some of those things off," she said; "you won't need them while you stay." "Aunt Matilda told me not to," said Arabella, "and if I _did_, it would be just my luck to have her come right by here, and see me with them off. My! _Wouldn't_ she be angry?" Arabella's eyes dilated as she asked the question. "Does your Aunt Matilda poke 'round after you like that?" asked Floretta.