"Didn't I tell you fellows that was Charlie Chaplin?" came a voice from one of the beds. Amidst the merriment aroused by this sally Mr. Jones joined Kelly and took his departure. CHAPTER X AN AFTERNOON OFF "Dis yere fambly ain' nevah ready to eat. Dey allers has sumpin else dey gotta do," grumbled Serena as she moved out upon the front porch of the Dale home. Virginia stood upon the greensward listening to the call of a song sparrow in the tree above her head. The notes of the bird rang clear upon the morning air in all of their sweetness, until overwhelmed in competition with a jazz melody whistled by Ike as he moved about dragging a serpent-like length of hose behind him. "Cum in to you' breakfus, chil'," commanded Serena. "In a moment. Isn't it a beautiful day for the concert?" Although Virginia's tardiness was yet uppermost in her mind, Serena deigned to examine the heavens above and the earth beneath with a critical eye which proposed to allow no fault to escape it. Then she made answer in a cryptic reply, "You ain' said nothin' chil', you ain' said nothin' a tall." "Virginia," said Obadiah, when they met at the breakfast table, "Mr. Wilkins was here again yesterday afternoon and you were not at home." The girl laughed. "I know it, Daddy," she confessed, as she poured a generous measure of thick cream over her dish of sliced peaches. The charge of absenteeism made against her did not appear to be affecting her appetite as she began to eat. "I warned you that he was coming," Obadiah continued, impressively. "Yes, Daddy." The girl was enjoying her peaches and cream. "After you told me about it I waited for him and he didn't come," she explained virtuously. "The next afternoon, I had to go out and--of course, he had to come. The afternoon after that, I waited at home expecting Mr. Wilkins and he never came near. Yesterday I had to go out--and he had to come." She laughed gaily. "We have been playing a game of hide and seek. Mr. Wilkins has been it and hasn't caught me yet." "It's been an expensive game for me," protested Obadiah. "I pay Mr. Wilkins a large salary for his time and services and I can use them to better advantage than in making calls upon you." "That's an ungallant speech. I am filled with shame for my own father." She shook her head sadly in token of her disgrace. "If Mr. Wilkins wants to see me, why doesn't he arrange to come when I am home?" she argued stoutly. Obadiah became stern. "You should have remained home for Mr. Wilkins. You are out a great deal, anyway." A look of mock horror came into Virginia's face. "Would you have me sit alone in this big house, waiting with folded arms for Mr. Wilkins?" she giggled.