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the boys slipped off down there just to see why it was off limits. But, believe me, it is an awfully trashy place. I wouldn’t recommend that you girls go check it out.”
    Mandie still couldn’t understand why everyone thought the alley was dangerous in the daytime, if it was that close to Main Street. Back in her hometown of Franklin, everyone walked down any street any time of the day without thinking about danger.
    She determined she would go back and check on that puppy as soon as she got a chance. She hoped it would still be there.
    When everyone said good-night later, and Ben drove the girls back to their school, there was no mention of the alley from Mandie’s grandmother. So she decided that Miss Prudence hadn’t told her about it. Why, she could not figure out, because Miss Prudence went strictly by the rules.
    Anyhow, the girls breathed a sigh of relief when they got back in their room. Maybe nothing more would be said about the alley.

CHAPTER FOUR
    DANGEROUS ERRAND
    The next morning Mandie and Celia were almost late for breakfast. Mandie had decided to wear a new navy woolen dress with twenty-two buttons down the front. Trying to hurry, Mandie’s fingers fumbled as she tried to button each one.
    â€œOh, shucks, why did Grandmother have so many buttons put on this dress?” she exclaimed in frustration, halfway up the row.
    â€œYou shouldn’t criticize a present, Mandie. Just think how much your grandmother must have paid to have the dress made,” Celia scolded mildly as she brushed her long auburn curls. “Besides, I think those little pearl buttons are just beautiful.”
    â€œBeautiful, but lots of trouble,” Mandie said, straightening up with a sigh. “Finally I got to the end. Now, where is my locket?” She quickly went to her jewelry box on the bureau and took out her most treasured possession, a locket with her father’s picture inside. She fastened the chain around her neck. “Guess I’m ready now.”
    â€œLet’s go,” Celia said, opening the door to the hallway.
    The two girls hurried down the long staircase from their room on the third floor of the schoolhouse.
    â€œOh, the line is moving,” Mandie said as she looked over the banister at the other pupils heading toward the dining room.
    Just as the two got to the bottom step, Miss Hope came hurrying around the corner of the hallway and motioned to them.
    Mandie glanced at the end of the line disappearing into the dining room. Why was Miss Hope making them late for breakfast? Miss Prudence didn’t condone tardiness in anything. This was her week to preside at the first sitting for breakfast, and she might just close them out.
    â€œAmanda, Celia,” Miss Hope said breathlessly, catching up with them. “I wonder if you two young ladies would mind doing a big favor for me this afternoon.”
    â€œI would be glad to, Miss Hope,” Mandie said, smiling. She glanced nervously toward the dining room door, which was still open.
    â€œYes, ma’am,” Celia said. “Anything you say, Miss Hope.”
    â€œMy sister, Miss Prudence, has come down with a cold this morning and is confined to her room for the day, so I cannot leave the school myself,” Miss Hope explained. “I need to pick up some sheet music from Heyward’s downtown, and I was wondering if you two would mind getting it for me. I could send Uncle Cal, but you see, he wouldn’t be able to read the list.”
    â€œOh, we would be glad to, Miss Hope,” Mandie said with another smile. Relieved, she glanced at Celia, realizing Miss Prudence would not be waiting in the dining room to reprimand them for being late. “Just tell us what you need and we’ll get it for you.”
    â€œThank you, Amanda,” Miss Hope replied, also smiling, as she moved on toward the dining room door. “Come. I have to sit through two breakfasts this morning since my sister