"Her blue jeans," Mrs. Simpson said. "Her red-checked shirt, her brown
shoes, and her hair caught at the back of her neck."
"Did she have a hair ribbon?" Cindy asked.
"No," said Mrs. Simpson, "though goodness knows she should have had
one. I'll be glad when you girls dress like girls again instead of
running around in boys' clothes. Why do you wish to know how Miranda was
dressed, Cindamine?"
"Alec and I are going to look for her." Cindy tried very hard not to
sound excited. "If I know exactly how she's dressed, I'll spot her more
easily."
"No," her mother said firmly. "One lost child is enough. You and Alec
stay right here."
"But, Mother, we won't get lost," Cindy assured her. "We've been here
long enough to know this country pretty well. Why, we're almost sure to
find Mindy."
"That's right, Ann," said Granny. "Young eyes often see what older ones
pass by. The child speaks sensibly."
"Sure, Mom," said Alec. "We'll find Mindy and bring her back."
"Do you think so?" Mrs. Simpson asked worriedly.
"I know so," Alec said, "and nothing will happen to us. The moon's 'most
as bright as day. Everything will be all right."
"Well, you're level-headed, Alec," his mother said. "If you can watch
Cindamine, you may go."
"I won't be a second," Cindy called.
She scooted into her room and put on a red-checked shirt and brown
shoes. Since she already wore blue jeans, and her hair was already
caught at the back of her neck, she had nothing else to do. She danced
up to her mother and kissed her, and before Mrs. Simpson could change
her mind, Cindy grabbed Alec's hand.
"Be careful, children," their mother called, "and don't stay too long."
Alone in the moonlight, Cindy faced Alec.
"Bum thought Mindy was me and kidnaped her!"
"That's right," Alec agreed.