"B" Is for Betsy Read Free Page A

already in school. Betsy began to run again. Everything looked strange. She didn't remember this big open field.
Where, oh, where were the wide street and Mr. Kilpatrick! Perhaps he would be gone when she got there and how would she ever get across alone?
Oh, why did I stop to look at those flowers?
thought Betsy.
    She wanted to cry, but she knew that it wouldn't help a bit; so she hurried on. There were some little houses in the next block. She could see a large lady sweeping the pavement.
Perhaps she could tell me how to get to school,
thought Betsy. Betsy remembered that Mother had told her never to speak to anyone on the street but a policeman, but there was no policeman.
    When Betsy reached the lady with the broom, the lady stopped sweeping. She leaned on her broom and looked down at Betsy. "Well, darlin'," said the lady, "and where are you goin' this bright mornin'?"
    "I'm going to school," said Betsy, "but I can't find it. I'm all mixed up."
    "Well, sure," said the lady, "you're way off. You must have taken the wrong turn."
    Tears came into Betsy's eyes.
    "Now don't you fret," said the lady. "It will be all right. If it weren't for my feet bein' that bad, I'd take you myself. But my Patrick will be here soon, for it's nine o'clock and he'll be
    wantin' his breakfast. Patrick will have you there in a jiffy. Come sit on the porch step and wait for him," said the lady.
    She opened the front gate, and Betsy went into the little yard and sat down on the porch step. It was a pretty yard with chrysanthemums growing all along the fence and borders of petunias. "And now while we're waiting for Patrick, I'll pick some flowers for your teacher. It will help her to feel a mite better about you bein' late for school."
    Betsy watched her pick the chrysanthemums. She had gathered a large bunch when a bright red police car drove up and stopped in front of the house. "Here's Patrick now," said the lady.
    The door of the car opened and out stepped Mr. Kilpatrick. Betsy rushed to meet him. "Well, if it isn't Little Red Ribbons," cried Mr. Kilpatrick.
    "Oh, Mr. Kilpatrick," cried Betsy, "I got lost going to school. I couldn't find you, Mr. Kilpatrick."
    "Well, sure it's good you found my wife, Katie," said Mr. Kilpatrick, picking Betsy up in his big strong arms.
    "And now, Pat, run her over to the school
and hurry back for your breakfast," said Mrs. Kilpatrick.
    Mr. Kilpatrick put Betsy in his bright red automobile and his wife gave her the big bunch of chrysanthemums. Mr. Kilpatrick climbed into the driver's seat and in no time at all they reached Betsy's school.
    "I'll take you into your room," said Mr. Kilpatrick.
    "Oh, thank you," said Betsy.
    Betsy was glad to have him go into the room with her, for she didn't like to go alone. When Mr. Kilpatrick opened the door and Betsy walked into the room, all the children called out, "Here's Betsy," and some of the little boys called out, "Hello, Mr. Kilpatrick."
    Miss Grey said, "Why, Betsy, I am so glad to see you. We were wondering where you were."
    "I'm sorry I got lost," said Betsy as she handed the big bunch of chrysanthemums to her teacher. "Mrs. Kilpatrick said they would make you feel a mite better about my being late," she added.
    Miss Grey laughed and said, "Oh, they do, Betsy; they do."
    "Miss Grey," said Betsy, "I rode in Mr. Kilpatrick's red police car."

4 How Wiggle and Waggle Grew Up

    One morning when Betsy was walking to school, she saw Billy Porter trotting along ahead of her. Billy was also in the first grade, and his desk was right near Betsy's. Billy was a pudgy little boy with a round, merry face. He had thick, bushy, brown hair that stood up all over his head. It looked as though it had been cut with a lawn mower. Billy was carrying a
cardboard box by its wire handle. One by one little drops of water were dropping from the bottom of the box.
    "What's in the box?" asked Betsy, as she caught up to Billy.
    Billy grinned. "Oh, wait 'til you see," said Billy. He set the