Free The Mandie Collection by Lois Gladys Leppard Page A

and couldn’t seem to get back onto the limb.
    â€œThe bed sheet!” Mandie cried out. She rushed to pull the sheet off the bed.
    Celia quickly helped her tie a big knot in one corner of the sheet. They rushed back to the window and swung the sheet over the windowsill.
    â€œMollie, when we swing this out, you grab it and hold on for everything you’re worth. Don’t dare let go of it! You hear me?” Mandie called to the girl.
    â€œI be hearing,” Mollie replied. “Just you be hurrying, Mandie.”
    Together Mandie and Celia tossed the knotted end of the sheet as far as they could. It missed the small figure by inches. They tried again, and this time Mollie managed to grab hold with one hand.
    â€œHold tight, Mollie! We’re going to pull you inside,” Mandie called to her as she leaned farther out the window. Mollie was dangling below them at the end of the sheet. Mandie grasped it tightly and crawled out onto the ledge. Looking back at Celia, she said, “Now, all together!”
    The two girls pulled with all their might, and Mollie’s head appeared at the edge of the ledge. Mandie caught one of her hands and slowly helped the little girl up over the ledge. The three of them fell on the floor of the bedroom.
    Mollie jumped up and laughingly said, “That was fun, now, sure enough it was!”
    Mandie and Celia, both completely out of breath after the dangerous rescue, sat on the floor staring at Mollie.
    Mandie took a deep breath and said, “Mollie, if you ever try anything like that again, I will see that you end up in deep trouble. I’ll ask Grandmother to lock you in your room at night so you can’t get out. Do you understand?” Mandie was angry and had all she could do to control her voice.
    Mollie frowned and sat on the floor next to the girls. “Oh, Mandie, I only be wanting to come see you. And Hilda showed me which window. She said she used to live in this schoolhouse,” the little orphan explained.
    â€œHilda can’t talk. You know that, Mollie, so you must be just making all this up,” Mandie replied.
    â€œBut I told Hilda I wanted to come see you, and she came with me to show me the way. And then when we be down under the tree below she pointed to this window,” Mollie explained.
    Mandie and Celia looked at each other, realizing that Hilda indeed would know which room was theirs. The waif had been living in the school attic when they found her after they had first arrived at the school a long time ago.
    â€œHilda!” Mandie suddenly remembered. “She’s still down in the yard. I hope she doesn’t try to climb that tree.” She stood to her feet and looked at Celia. “I suppose I’m going to have to get dressed and take them back to Grandmother’s.”
    â€œMandie, why don’t we wake Uncle Cal or someone and get them to go with us. It’s awfully late, and we aren’t supposed to be out,” Celia said doubtfully.
    â€œI’m not afraid,” Mandie told her as she hastily took down a dress from the wardrobe.
    Celia came to join her. “If you’re going, then I’ll go with you,” she said. She grabbed a dress and began putting it on.
    Mollie watched the two, looking from one to the other during their conversation. “Now, Mandie, Hilda be knowing the way back, she does,” she said. “Just find me the way out of this house. I go back with Hilda.”
    â€œOh no, you don’t!” Mandie said sharply as she put on her shoes. “We are going back with you to be sure you get back safely. And please remember what I said. If you ever do such a thing again, I’ll speak to Grandmother.”
    â€œYes, Mandie, you already be telling me that,” Mollie replied.
    â€œReady?” Mandie asked Celia, her hand on the doorknob.
    â€œYes,” Celia replied, pulling on her coat.
    â€œNow, Mollie, we are going down the back stairway and