Miss Billy tried to look severe, but the dimples would show in spite of her efforts. John Thomas gazed at her merry face admiringly. "I wisht you was my sister," he said. "You can make fun over people, without making fun _of_ 'em. Mary Jane is the most provoking--say, don't you want me to help you, honest?" "Not now," said Theodore. "We have to go back to school this afternoon, and there are no more planks left, anyway. I'll tell you what you _can_ do, John Thomas. If you'll help me finish this, next week, I'll turn in afterwards, and help you mend the broken planks in yours." "All right," assented John Thomas, not unwillingly. "We'll show old Abraham Schultzsky-czaravitch that we don't need his help," continued Ted; "and the people on Cherry Street how sidewalks ought to look. What shall I do with those decrepit places near the gate? There isn't another board in sight." "Dear me," said Miss Billy. "We should have begun at the other end of the walk, where the planks are in the worst condition. Some one will be sure to go through those two old boards, and break a leg or two before next week." "Maybe it'll be old Moneybags himself," suggested Theodore cheerfully. "I hope it will," said Miss Billy. CHAPTER XI WEEDS "Witch-grass and nettle and rag-weed grope,-- Paupers that eat the earth's riches out,-- Nightshade and henbane are lurking about, Like demons that enter in When a soul has run waste to sin." JUNE, departing, had scattered her wealth of floral treasures wide over the land, and Cherry Street, lowliest child of her adoption, had not been forgotten. Under the wholesome influence of trowel, watering-can, and good black soil Miss Billy's garden had grown apace, and now burst into such a riotous excess of bloom as brought the small Cherryites to the fence in groups of silent adoration. Beds of scarlet geraniums glowed like the heart of rubies on the green lawn. Sweet peas were opening their pretty eyes and peeping over into Mr. Hennesy's yard. June roses, white, pink, and blood red, swung on their stems breathing incense night and day, while on the side of the house bloomed the pansy bed, hundreds of pretty faces of many colours and marvellous size. Over the back fence nasturtiums were opening their golden hearts, and a group of tall hollyhocks stood boldly disputing right of way with the arms of the Hennesy clothes reel. Mrs. Hennesy had been sweeping, and now she stood in the upstairs window looking down at the floral display in her neighbour's yard. "It do be lookin' loike a park, Mary Jane," she commented at last. "Mrs. Casey was a good neighbour an' its mesilf that'll niver be over missin' her,--but she niver had things lookin' loike that. An' it's that girl--'Miss Billy,' as they call her,--that's done it all."