Read The Mandie Collection for Free Online Page B

is not able to preside over her group. Now, I’ll send Uncle Cal with you, and I’ll get a list made up before classes are out today. I appreciate your help, young ladies.”
    Both girls replied, “Thank you, Miss Hope.” They followed Miss Hope into the dining room.
    When classes were over at three that afternoon, the girls found Miss Hope waiting for them in the hallway.
    â€œPlease hurry and get your wraps now. It will be chilly before you get back. And, remember, the days are getting shorter, too,” Miss Hope told them. “Uncle Cal is waiting in the rig in the front driveway. Be sure you go straight to the store and back, under the supervision of Uncle Cal at all times. Understood?”
    â€œYes, ma’am,” both girls replied.
    â€œHere is the list. If you have any problems with it, just talk to Mr. Heyward himself. He will know what I want,” the headmistress explained, handing a folded sheet of paper to Mandie.
    â€œYes, ma’am,” Mandie said, taking the paper.
    â€œNow, I have to get back to the office to other duties. When you return, bring the music sheets straight to me there,” Miss Hope said, turning away.
    The girls hurried upstairs, grabbed their hooded cloaks, and rushed down to where Uncle Cal was waiting. Uncle Cal had been at the school for many years. He was Aunt Phoebe’s husband, and the couple had their own little house on the grounds behind the main building.
    â€œYou know where we are going, don’t you, Uncle Cal?” Mandie asked as she and Celia stepped up into the rig.
    â€œDat I does,” Uncle Cal said with a smile from the front seat. He glanced back as the girls sat down and then shook the reins. The horse trotted down the driveway.
    Mandie glanced at the paper Miss Hope had given her. “Since I am not sure what this all means, I’ll just give it to Mr. Heyward. I suppose we can just wait while he gets things together,” she said.
    Celia looked at the list Mandie was holding. “Looks like some really old classical music,” she remarked. “I suppose we will be going into more complicated music lessons soon.”
    â€œThat’s what I was thinking,” Mandie agreed. “Unless this order is just for Miss Hope herself, or maybe for Miss Prudence.”
    â€œLook, Mandie. We’re going down Main Street,” Celia pointed toward a sign. “Is Mr. Heyward’s store on Main Street?”
    â€œYes. Miss Hope has written here that Mr. Heyward’s store is on Main Street,” Mandie replied, scanning the sheet of paper. She looked around and suddenly caught her breath. “And there’s King Street that we just crossed.”
    Uncle Cal slowed the rig and pulled into a space in front of a tall, slender building bearing the name “Heyward’s” over the doorway.
    â€œI waits right heah whilst you young ladies goes inside and does de bidness fo’ Miz Hope,” Uncle Cal told them as he stepped down from the rig to help the girls out.
    â€œThis is a long list, Uncle Cal. I don’t know how long it will take,” Mandie told him, holding up the sheet of paper as she and Celia headed for the front door.
    â€œI be heah,” the old man replied, hooking the reins over the hitching post.
    Mandie and Celia stepped inside the store and looked around. A huge piano stood near the front door. On the other side was a glass showcase containing violins. Toward the back were racks of sheet music, pamphlets, and instruction books.
    â€œThis is a big store,” Mandie commented as they slowly walked on through. No one seemed to be around. She turned back to Celia. “I wonder where we can find Mr. Heyward.”
    Before Celia could reply, a tall elderly man with thick gray hair and spectacles perched on his long nose appeared from the side. “I’m right here, young ladies,” he greeted them. “Now, what can I do for you