Page:Leah Reed--Brenda's summer at Rockley.djvu/287

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BRENDA’S SUMMER AT ROCKLEY
269

“Uncle Robert need not have made that rule on my account,” responded Julia, gravely. “I do not wish the money returned that I gave to make up the loss.”

“I know it, Julia; but papa has some theory about abstract justice, and about making me more careful in the future. He does n’t wish me to feel that I have escaped without any punishment.”

“You poor thing!” said Julia.

“Well, I haven’t said much about it this summer because I did n’t wish any one to pity me. But I ’ve hardly had a penny to spend. Have n’t you noticed? ”

“You could always borrow from me,” said Julia, smiling.

“Well, I have n’t wanted to borrow. Of course I ’ve been able to get along. But I just hope that sometime I ’ll come across that Portuguese man. I ’m going to ask Mrs. Rosa his name to-day. If ever I do, how I shall enjoy calling a policeman.”

“Would you know how to call a policeman?” asked Julia. “I’m sure I should n’t have the least idea myself.”

“Well, I only hope that I may have the chance sometime,” and Brenda shook her pretty head vindictively.

The money to which she referred with so much feeling was two-thirds of the proceeds from a bazaar which had been held at Edith’s house the preceding spring. “The Four,” as Edith, Nora, Brenda, and Belle were then called, had been the chief workers. But toward the last Julia had been permitted to assist, as well as her friend Ruth Roberts. Of course on the day of the Bazaar many other