The foot wiggled about, feeling for the step.

It found it, the cover was thrown aside and Mary-'Gusta appeared, a pathetic little figure, with rumpled hair and tear-stained cheeks.

Rose and Rosette, the two dolls, were hugged in her arms.
Judge Baxter patted her on the head.

Zoeth and Shadrach looked solemn and ill at ease.

Mary-'Gusta looked at the floor and sniffed dolefully.
"Mary-'Gusta," said the Judge, "these two gentlemen are old friends of your father's and," with a pardonable stretching of the truth, "they have come all the way from South Harniss to meet you.