“No, it isn’t time for lunch,” laughed Mrs. Brown.  “But I want you to bring some things from the store so Mary can get lunch ready.  And this is a chance for you to help your friend Mrs. Golden.”

“What do you mean—­help her?” asked Bunny.  “Is daddy going to give her some money out of his bank so she can pay the cross man?”

“I don’t know about that,” replied Mrs. Brown.  “But I mean you can help her now by getting some groceries from her.  The more we buy and the more other families buy, the more money she will make, and then she can pay her bills.”

“That’s so!” exclaimed Bunny.  “I’m going to ask all the fellows to buy their things of Mrs. Golden instead of going to Gordon’s.”

“And I’ll ask the girls!” exclaimed Sue.

“We mustn’t desert Mr. Gordon altogether,” said Mrs. Brown.  “He wants to do business, too.  But Mrs. Golden needs our trade most, I guess, so get these things of her.  I’ve written them down on a paper so you’ll not forget, and as there are a number of them you had better take a basket, Bunny.”

“I will,” he said.  “Do we have to hurry back, Mother?” he asked.

“Oh, there is no special hurry,” his mother answered.  “But what did you want to do?  Play another game of ball and break another window?” and she smiled at Bunny, for she had heard the story.  Mr. Morrison’s window had been paid for by all the boys “chipping in,” or clubbing together.

“I’m not going to play ball,” said Bunny.  “But Sue and I might stay with Mrs. Golden a little while and help her in the store if you weren’t in a hurry.”

“No, I’m not in a hurry,” Mrs. Brown said.  “Help Mrs. Golden all you can, poor old lady!”

Together Bunny and Sue went around the corner to the little grocery and notion store.  They were talking of what they might do to help the storekeeper, and they were planning what fun they could have with the little boat and doll when they reached home again.  By this time they were at the store, but, to their surprise, the front door was closed, though this was summer, and it generally stood wide open.

And in one corner of the door was a piece of paper on which something was written.  Bunny and Sue saw this notice and they at once guessed that something had happened.

“Maybe she’s gone away with her son Philip to get the leg-legacy!” exclaimed Bunny.

“Maybe,” said Sue.  “Go on, Bunny, you can read better’n I can.  Read what it says.”

Slowly Bunny read the little notice on the front door.  It said: 

          “Please come to the side door.”

Wonderingly the children went along the path to the side door, for the grocery of Mrs. Golden was in an old-fashioned house which had been built over so she could sell things in it.  The side door was almost closed, but, though open a small crack, Bunny and Sue did not want to push it open further and go in.  Instead they knocked.