Babs at Birchwood

Introduction

When Babs was first introduced to her readers she was entertaining her city cousin, Marjory Kennedy, in her plain lonely home on the shores of Moose Lake. Marjory was having a little difficulty in adjusting herself to the new manner of living that the simple farm life offered ; she was discovering new ideals and pleasures in the great and wonderful outdoors Babs explained to her ; she was finding new friends in a class of people she had always thought inferior.

Molly Henderson is one of these new friends. Of her poverty and loneliness and bravery, her determination to win an education and the good fortune that comes to her ; of Marjory^s final happy adaptation to the life in the woods and the love she forms for Babs and Babs^ friends ; of their adventures at camp and at the Pages^ beautiful home and of Marjory’s plan to have Babs and Molly 6

Introduction spend the succeeding winter in New York, — of all these things you have learned in Babs/^ When Babs finds herself in Marjory^s spacious home in Birchwood she wonders how she is going to like her year in civilization. Marjory has told her how little real winter they have and Babs cannot imagine a good time without ice and snow and zero weather. However, she finds that Birchwood offers plenty of entertainment for her. There is a Camp Fire Club organized which holds out activities into which Babs enters whole-heartedly, and Molly has a share in the fun.

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XXL

The Play ....

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XXII. • 328

Illustrations

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She Heard Cries of “More ! More ! ” . Frontispiece ^

“ It's Exactly THE Touch ” . . . .46'

All the Way She Whistled Joyfully . . 133*-^

She was Up Before the Household was Astir 226^ Two White-Clad Girls . . . .318'

Chapter I

As the train pulled slowly into the long station at Grand Central, Babs sat on the edge of her seat, her bundles hugged tight in her arms, her eyes taking in everything as fast as she could look from one thing to another. Molly, to whom everything was just as new as to Babs, showed a little more composure and restraint in her manner, but it was the combined wonder and fear of what New York might hold for her that kept her hushed. To her it was an exciting event that would last only a short while.

Barbara Benson, better known as Babs,” was on her way to New York City from Moose Lake, Maine, where she had lived all her fourteen years on a lonely farm. This was Babs^ first trip to any place except Skowhegan, the 11 small lumbering town near her home where she had gone to school, and she was quite naturally thrilled at the prospect. She was traveling with her cousin, Marjory Kennedy, who had spent the summer with her at Moose Lake and whom she was now to visit for the winter in her beautiful suburban home. Her other companion, Molly Henderson, was a dear friend of hers from Skowhegan, who had been suddenly transformed from a poor, hard-working orphan, who had always believed herself a humble woodsman’s daughter, to the wealthy daughter of a college-bred man. Molly’s dream had always been to go to college, so now, with the money so miraculously thrust into her hands, she was coming to complete her preparation for that wonderful time in New York, where Marjory’s mother had arranged for her to live with a Miss Snow, an old friend of Mrs. Kennedy’s.

As the two girls loaned eagerly forward in increasing wonder, Marjor}^ watched them both with smiling face.

This is going to be rich,” she whispered to herself. “Just rich. Oh, I’m so glad Babs could come.”

And she tried to imagine what it would be like to be seeing it all with new eyes, as these two were.

At last the train slowed and stopped. The girls waited until almost all the people who stood crowded in the aisle had pushed their way to the door. Babs, to whom crowds and close quarters were a novel experience, gasped a little.

Glory I '' she said. What makes squash so ? There’s loads of time. I — I feel sort of smothered.”

” Everybody hurries in New York,” answered Marjory. “ You’ll get used to it. It’s push — jam — hustle all the time, with everybody.”

Finally they made their way to the door, and down the steps. Marjory immediately took the lead.

” Stick close to me, both of you. Yes, porter, take the bag and box and those bundles, please. Now, girls, we’ll follow him, and mother’ll be right at the gate waiting for us.”

” Is — is he a policeman ? ” asked Babs, pointing to the blue uniformed darkey who was hurrying ahead of them.

“ A policeman ? Marjory returned. “ Oh, no. You’ll see plenty of them, but this man, and all those others, carrying bags, are porters.”

Are — are you sure we’ll find your mother all right?” asked Molly timidly. “ Seems as though all the people in the world were here, and all tearing along so fast. If you can find her, you’ll be a wonder.”

Marjory laughed.

“See that gate ahead of us? Well, the other side of that is a rope, to keep the people who are meeting this train from crowding around the doorway. Mother’ll be on the front row, right where we go through. We planned it all out when I found the Kents were going to get off up the line instead of coming way through to New York.”

The porter carrying their bundles and bag had shot through the gate, and the three children hurried after him.

“ There she is — there’s mother ! ” Marjory cried. “ Mother 1 Here we are,” she called in a low voice to a small, slender little lady who was eagerly scanning the people as they came through. And she ran quickly up to her, with Molly close behind.

T^he Arrival m New York 15

But Babs gave a hasty glance to locate them, and then sped after the porter, who was striding way ahead of them toward the waiting room.

“ Hey ! Say I Police — porter ! she panted, her braids flying out behind her, her sneakered feet pat-patting the hard floor, as she zigzagged her way under arms, around bags, and past little groups of people. “ Wait !

In a minute she was behind him, and seizing his coat, she gave it a yank that halted him suddenly.

“ Aunt Madge and all of ’em are way back there — by the gate — where we came through,” she gasped, turning to point. ” Oh ! Oh ! ” she gazed around her helplessly. Can you find it? There are millions of gates, and all alike, and I — Pm afraid Pve lost ours.”

The surprised porter’s face spread slowly into a big grin, and he winked at the people near by, who were interestedly watching the little scene. Babs, utterly unconscious, stood sturdily before him, awaiting his answer.

Ah reckon Ah kin fin’ yo' folks fo’ you,” he drawled. ” Yo’ sho’ wasn’t gwine let me get away wid nuffin’, was yo’?”

i6 Babs at Birchwood

Well, there are all the clothes Tve got, in that box. The bag's Marjory's and the bundle — oh, Molly has hers. And I'm here to visit all winter, so of course I don’t want to lose 'em. And all my presents everybody gave me — do you like grouse ? " she demanded suddenly, looking up at him as she trotted along beside his big step.

“ Like what, miss ? " he asked, and he winked again at the men they were passing.

“ Grouse. Cooked French-Canadian style — feathers and all," she explained. “ There's one in that hat box, — and honestly, I don't know what to do with it. It's good," she hurried on. “ Delicious. But it’s a clumsy thing to carry, you see, and — could you eat it? Would you get time between portering ? "

At that moment Babs found herself back at the gate where she had started from, and Marjory suddenly seized her arm.

“ Babs ! Gracious, you gave us a scare. We couldn't see you anywhere. Mother, this is Barbara. Where have you been ? "

“ Oh, Aunt Madge, I'm so glad to see you."

Babs seized both her auntie’s hands in a warm clasp, and looked at the lovely face so softly framed by dark hair. Please excuse me for scaring you. I just had to run after the pol — porter. He didn’t know we had stopped, and I was afraid he’d lose us, and then I’d had no clothes.”

Barbara, I’m glad to see you,” said Mrs. Kennedy, her brown eyes smiling kindly at the flushed face of the little girl before her, both the square ungloved hands still in hers.

Barbara took time from talking to look back at her aunt.

I’m going to love you, I can tell,” she said with a quick smile, as she took in the stylish, trim little flgure with its big fluffy furs of snow white. But my gracious, aren’t you roasted in those furs ? We never put ’em on till cold weather — snow, I mean. Where’s Molly?”

Mrs. Kennedy laughed lightly, and Marjory became suddenly aware of all the amused glances that were coming their way.

Mother, let’s go,” she whispered.

Mrs. Kennedy dropped a quarter into the waiting porter’s hand and said something to i8 Babs, at Birchwood

him in a low voice. He seized the bag and bundles again and started off.

Molly has gone,” Mrs. Kennedy answered.

Miss Snow was here and in quite a hurry, so they just rushed to take the subway.”

Babs^ eyes were traveling around the big station, and she scarcely heard the answer. She flung her head back, clasped her hands behind her, and revolved slowly, looking and looking and looking.

What is it we're in, now? Is it a palace? I’ve read about ’em.”

“ No, dear. Come, we must hurry. The porter’s out of sight. It’s a station — Grand Central Station.”

“Isn’t that porter the greatest?” giggled Babs, as she trotted alongside of her aunt. “ Why, he just flies. What’s he hurrying like that for? We aren’t. Molly gone, did you say? And I never said good-bye, and I never saw if Miss Snow was going to do for her to live with — oh, my I ” She stopped abruptly in dismay and gazed at her aunt.

“ Dearie,” Mrs. Kennedy said gently, “ we’ll talk when we get in the automobile.”

“ Automobile ? ” squealed Babs. “ Oh, gorgeousness I To go in one the first minute ! Why, that^s simply too — utterly-too-too.”

Marjory's face was a bit red as she tried to stop Babs' chatter, that was frankly loud enough to be heard by all who were passing.

“ Ssh, Babs. Don't talk so loud," she said in agonized tones. Everybody can hear you."

“ But I’m not saying anything I shouldn't," returned Babs, surprised.

Marjory fell silent. Already she saw she was going to be embarrassed many, many times by her country cousin's amazed and honest enthusiasm. Her mother gave her a warning look, and Marjory held her peace, though she was burning because of the stir they were creating. Babs looked queer enough anyway in her crushed tan linen dress, her soiled sneakers and her old-fashioned hat — but if only she'd keep still.

At last they came to the street entrance, and here Babs' bewilderment kept her tongue quiet. Never had she dreamed of such confusion. People, wagons, cars, — people, wagons, cars, — all moving, all noisy, all looking as though they’d be run over by something the next minute. Babs stopped again, and turned a wavering smile to her aunt.

“ I’m simply scared to move,” she whispered. There’s so much to hit. Do we have to cross that street ? ”

No, dear. We’ll get right in this limousine, here.” And Mrs. Kennedy, with Babs’ hand tight in hers, led her to the open door where the porter had deposited their luggage. Babs recovered herself as she saw the darkey turn to go. Stooping, she snatched the hat box and dodged after him.

“ Oh, you forgot,” she cried, thrusting it into his arms. It’s the grouse I gave you. You and the other — porters — go on a picnic,” she demanded. You’ll like it, I know.”

And she was back by the car again in a flash.

“ I didn’t want to take it,” she explained. '‘And I was sure he’d like it. Can’t he help being black like that, really ? ”

“ Haven’t you ever seen a colored person before?” asked Marjory.

" No, they’re all French-Canadians, you know, up home.”

And then Babs stopped talking. For the limousine had snorted itself out of the line and was threading its way up the crowded street in alternate spurts of speed and slow crawls. The sensation of going without horses and the fear of being smashed up in the next breath were both so utterly new that Babs sat up tense and still on the edge of the cushioned seat. Besides, there was so much to see.

As she became a little more used to it, she peered out of the window. It was dusk, and New York was just being lit up. As the lights flashed on, bells clanged, whistles blew, newsboys shrieked, people — old and young, rich and poor, beautiful and homely, — darted by, Babs spoke.

“ My glory be, but this is messy. How does anybody know where he’s going? And won’t the wind blow over those high buildings? And what makes the lights go out and on again ? How ”

Mrs. Kennedy and Marjory leaned back and laughed. Then Aunt Madge slipped her arm around Babs and drew her back against her shoulder.

Little girl, little girl, you'll wear yourself out. It'll take me all winter to answer all your questions.”

For Babs had not stopped. Exclamations and queries followed each other in rapid succession as they moved on their way. It was all so amazing, so strange, so bewildering. Babs had never conceived of the sight she was seeing, and she was like a little child to whom the wonders of the earth, sea and sky were suddenly being revealed.

When they came to the hotel where Mrs. Kennedy had planned to spend the night, she wondered whether there it would dawn on Barbara that she was not dressed suitably to dine in the big dining-room. As yet she had been serenely unconscious of herself, and no comparisons had entered her head. Marjory had always looked better dressed than she, and Aunt Madge, she had expected, would be daintiness itself in simple but beautiful clothes. Babs had never been taught to think of her appearance, and in her estimation clothes were a nuisance, anyway. Mrs. Kennedy pondered while she studied her niece's alert wondering face. She must some time realize that dress has its importance and its place, but she must learn it in the right way, without hurt to her pride.

As the limousine door was swung wide and Mrs. Kennedy stepped out, with Marjory behind her, Babs gave a little gasp, then hopped out hurriedly, and stood staring at the sidewalk.

Where are the trees ? she asked. ** I haven^t seen one since I got here.^^

Mrs. Kennedy took her by the hand, and as she led her into the hotel, she answered quietly :

“ The roots canT’grow under all this paving and sidewalk. The only trees, practically, that New York has, are in the Park. We’ll drive there to-morrow. I’m sure you’ll like it.”

Barbara said no more. With all her eyes she was watching. And when they entered the elevator and shot up to the eighth floor, she turned pale and seized her aunt’s hand. Once more behind closed doors, she drew a deep breath and looked around her.

** Gold beds,” she said softly, touching the shining brass gently. Think of it. And — oh, a regular saint’s bathroom. It’s all white — even the floor, and walls.” She turned around with big eyes and stared at them. ** I — never — in — my — whole — life,” she said slowly. “ Say, did you lose your stomach coming up? I’d rather walk down.”

She opened another door, which proved to be a closet with a long mirror in the inner side.

'' Here’s all of me — all at once,” she said to herself, and she turned slowly. “ So that’s how I look. Sort of fatter than I thought.”

In the meantime, Mrs. Kennedy had opened her suitcase and spread out on the bed two dresses, a rose-colored one, with a black belt, the other a sky blue.

'^Now, girls,” she said brightly, “I have a surprise for you. I’ve brought you each a brand new dress to wear down to dinner to-night, because I knew you weren’t expecting to stay here, and you wouldn’t have the right thing. Tell me how you like them, and guess which is whose.”

“ Oh, oh I ” Barbara clasped her hands and gazed reverently at the little gowns. ” Is one really for me? How perfectly lovely.

It’s the blue one, isn’t it? Because my hair, you know ” she smiled. Well, some peo-

ple call it red, and rose won’t go with it.”

You guessed right. Now hurry and wash, and slip into them.”

When Marjory had finished, she stood before the mirror and looked at herself. Her curls were brushed into a shiny mass that tumbled about her ears and nestled in her neck. Her cheeks matched her dress, and pretty black pumps were on her silk-stockinged feet. Babs, who had been turning on all the faucets in the bathroom, and had sprinkled herself liberally, much to her amazement, under the shower bath, was busy rubbing her hair dry.

” You’re lovely,” she cried enthusiastically, peeping out from the folds of her towel.

** All but my hair,” sighed Marjory. I do wish it were longer.” Marjory’s hair had been burned in an accident only a few weeks before.

Why, it looks darling just like that, and besides, you weren’t going to mind,” reproved Babs.

Barbara, do you like surprise puzzles ? her aunt interrupted.

“ I should say so,'^ answered Babs, promptly.

Anything that’s a surprise, I love.”

“ Then,” went on her aunt, “ guess what’s in each of these bundles on the bed. As many as you guess, you may keep.”

There were half a dozen packages wrapped in tissue paper, and Babs joyfully jumped to the fun of the game.

Slippers ! ” she cried, pouncing on a knobby bundle, through which a heel stuck.

Stockings I I can see the black shine through.” She swept them into her arms, and hugging them close, faced her aunt, her eyes shining with excitement.

Did you really mean it ? About my keeping them ? Because I’m going to guess every one.”

Mrs. Kennedy nodded. Her little scheme was working out beautifully. Babs was to be properly clothed, and the gifts were not making her sensitive.

Babs felt of the others, all flat soft ones, and her guesses were more cautious.

“Petticoats? And this wee one — must be — handkerchiefs ! ” Her voice was triumphant as she tore the paper off. “ My glory be I Here's a whole outfit — all brand new — and simply beautiful — and all mine. I wonder " she stopped.

“You wonder what?" asked Marjory curiously.

“ I wonder," said Babs in an awed tone, “ if heaven can be any nicer than this."

That night was an amusing one for Mrs. Kennedy and Marjory, and one never to be forgotten by Barbara. Marjory felt slightly embarrassed at times, for Babs' voice inevitably rose in some question or exclamation when the tables around them were silent. To Babs it was fairyland, — the music, the palms, and fountains, the swift-stepping, silent waiters, and beautifully gowned ladies. She hardly ate a thing, as course after course was put before her, though she examined each in delight, for she often found a familiar dish that was served in some strange but fascinating form.

At last they were back in their rooms again, and Babs' tongue wagged its last outburst.

“ A million people — all eating at once.

And some of 'em not dressed at all. Auntie, where were their clothes, those ladies next to us ? I was so ashamed. And I should think they'd have frozen. And were all those men that went around in black uniforms with napkins on their arms — all porters? I did want to jiggle their elbows, just to see something spill down their shiny fronts."

Finally, to stop her chatter, Mrs. Kennedy sent her into the adjoining room to sleep alone, instead of letting her stay with Marjory, as she had expected. Barbara lay a long time, in a new soft white nightgown that was the last bundle she had guessed, but at last she fell asleep, murmuring:

Dear God, — don't let me wake up at home. Not yet. I want to finish seeing. I think you're wonderful to make a place like this. Thank you. Amen."

Chapter II

The next day was still more full of wonderful experiences. There was, first of all, breakfast in fairyland ” again. Then there was another ride in the smooth-running, softcushioned limousine. And then, best of all, a morning full of shopping in the magnificent stores.

Mrs. Kennedy had said to Barbara :

‘‘ Dear, you are the only niece I have, and I love you almost as much as I do my only daughter. You are to spend the winter with us, and it's going to give me great happiness to make-believe you are my second little daughter. I want to do for you just as I do for Marjory, if you will let me. Now this morning, I had planned to buy Marjory ^s winter clothes, and I would love, also, to buy yours for you ; may I ? "

And Barbara, who was generosity itself, and 29 would have given everything she possessed to those she loved, saw no reason why she should not accept in the same spirit, so she lifted a pleased and surprised face to her aunt. If Aunt Madge wanted to, — why, there was surely no reason why she shouldn’t. To Barbara’s simple mind came no thought of charity. Besides,” she said comfortably to herself, “ Daddy’s going to send me some money as soon as he can, and I’ll just give it all to Aunt Madge then.”

But of course, the ten dollars that her daddy sent later did not begin to cover the cost of all the things that were bought that day, though Babs did not know that, then. For there were clothes of all kinds. There were, first of all, some every-day clothes,” as Auntie called them. There was a dark green dress with a black patent leather belt, a blue one with three ruffles down the skirt and a brown one with big white pockets and collar and cuffs. There was, too, a sailor suit for cold days, and a green woolly coat and tam-o’- shanter. There were thick brown laced boots — at least Auntie called them thick, though Babs laughed at them, and assured her the}^ looked like dancing slippers alongside of her usual winter boots. And there were ^‘oodles and oodles ” of soft white underwear.

“ Every-day ? These for every-day ? Barbara asked in delight. Why, do you have parties every day ?

And then there were also three dear little white dresses, all dainty lace with wide sashes of different colors for each. There were white gloves, white slippers and stockings, and black slippers and stockings, and a pretty kimono and bedroom slippers, and handkerchiefs by the dozen. There were hair ribbons even, to go with each dress, for Aunt Madge didn’t forget a thing, and what she might have overlooked, Marjory was quick to whisper to her. Last but not least, came a beautiful dark blue velvet coat, trimmed with white fur, and a cocky three-cornered velvet hat to match. Babs quite lost her breath over this, and simply looked dumb happiness at her aunt.

And after that glorissimus ” morning came luncheon in a big restaurant, and Babs declared the chicken salad and hot chocolate the most delicious she had ever tasted. In between bites she chattered gaily, sometimes to her aunt and cousin, sometimes to the dignified waiter, sometimes to her neighbors at the next table, of the ride up and down the moving staircase ; of the visit to Toyland, which kept her glowing and breathless until she left it ; and of the ride in the ^bus —

up on the roof,^^ as Babs said, where she had sat with hands tightly clutching the railing in fear lest it tip over.

Now we’ll take a quick spin through the park,” said Aunt Madge, as they rose. “ We’ll just have time before we start for home.”

But this rather disappointed Barbara. There were trees, to be sure, and Barbara called a welcome to them, with both hands out of the window. And there were ponds, with pretty bridges, and waterfalls, and stately duck. But she was too used to big mountains and a vast expanse of lake to appreciate the milder beauty of the carefully kept park. The children at play interested her, and the animals they stopped to see quite fascinated her, but she felt pitifully sorry for all New York’s inhabitants if that was the only place they had to go to for a glimpse of country.

** Its hair is too well brushed and its teeth too carefully cleaned/' she said, speaking of the park. “And all those signs not to pick flowers and cut across the grass — why I It just takes away all the fun, I should think."

Barbara's first sight of the poor in New York tore her tender heart. The ragged dirty newsboys with their hard faces and raucous voices looked so different from the unkempt poor at home. She could not quite explain it, but she felt it, and over and over she said as they pattered past in bare feet, — ‘^Poor youngsters." The crippled beggars at every corner horrified her, and she would not believe that many of them were “ fakirs," trying to earn a living without working.

“ Oh, it's awful ! " she cried. “ To see such people. I didn't know such terrible looking men lived. Oh, Auntie, can't we do something ? "

And then her auntie explained to her how all New York was trying to do for its poor. She told about the Community Christmas Trees, the bread line, Bundle Day, the gymnasiums and schools that the big stores were organizing for their employees. She told of the clubs and lunch rooms, the playgrounds, the clinics where medical aid was given ; of the restaurants and sleeping quarters where food and a nighVs lodging could be bought for so little. And Barbara listened with eyes wide, while Marjory watched her silently.

Marjory had expected the enthusiasm that Babs was showing, but she had not dreamed that Babs would see, as she was seeing, beneath the glittering surface. In fact, some things her country cousin noticed and asked about, Marjory had taken for granted so long that they came as new to her as to Babs, and she began to look around with different eyes.

By late afternoon Barbara was quite tired enough to sit back in the car and close her eyes as they started for home. To be sure, they kept popping open for the first five or ten minutes, but at last her head drooped wearily back against the cushion and she was fast asleep. Around her were packages of all sizes and shapes, for she had wanted to bring everything with her, and Aunt Madge had laughingly consented. Marjory looked at her sleeping cousin and then snuggled close to her mother’s arm.

“ Hasn^t it been fan ? And isn’t she dear ? ” she whispered.

Her mother smiled down at her lovingly. Marjory’s bobbed head rested against her mother’s shoulder, but the short curls were not the only change Mrs. Kennedy had seen. She had watched all day and appreciated how willingly and eagerly Marjory had let Barbara’s clothes be bought first, while a few months before, Marjory would have been impatient if Babs had taken any time from her own shopping.

That’s all right for me,” she had said hastily. “ Let’s hurry. Babs wants to look at slippers.”

So when she answered her daughter, her voice was very tender. “ It has been fun, and she is dear. She’s a genuine, honest little girl, and I am so glad she’s to be with us this winter. It’s good to see you again,” she went on, passing her hand over the short locks. ** My new little Marjory.”

“ I am new,” said Marjory, thoughtfully, quite new inside, but, do you know ? — now that I’m back home again. I’m afraid, — I’m terribly afraid — some of the nice new me will wear off and show all the horrid me again.”

You mustn’t let it, dear ” began her

mother, but Marjory interrupted her.