CHAPTER V.
PLAYING TRUANT.
For several days after her return Dotty Dimple was in a state of jubilee.
She had a great deal to tell, and the whole household was ready to listen.

Norah would stand with a dish or a rolling-pin in her hand, and almost forget what she had intended to do in her desire to hear every word Miss Dotty was saying.
Once, when she related her adventure with the pigeon-pie, grandma Read, who was clear-starching her caps, let the starch boil over on the stove; and at another time Mrs.Parlin was so much absorbed in a description of Phebe, that she almost spiced a custard with cayenne pepper.
All these evidences of interest were very flattering to Dotty.

Sometimes she took Prudy one side, and told her the same story twice over, to which Prudy always listened with unfailing politeness.

As I said before, while this excitement lasted Miss Dimple was in a state of jubilee.

But by and by the novelty wore off; she had told the family everything she could possibly think of, and now longed for a few pairs of fresh ears into which to pour her stories.