"
When the laughter caused by these words had subsided, somewhat, the two
girls replied: Polly to advise and Eleanor to make a giggling
explanation.
Eleanor said: "You make a wonderfully accurate time-clock on Jeb's
comings and goings, Sary."
And Polly advised: "You run back to your room, Sary, and put on a
sensible dress to keep Jeb from wondering how much of his earnings it
would take to dress you in fine clothes like that organdy gown cost."
"Thar's somethin' in that, too, Polly! Ah reckon you're right, so Ah'll
throw on that striped shirt-waist your Maw gave me, and the duck skirt
with the tucks in it."
Sary vanished as quickly as she had appeared, and the two girls stood
laughing as they saw the bed-room door close. Then they dried the dish-
pan, hung up the towels and mop, and turned to go back to the living-
room where Sam Brewster and his wife were planning for the ride to Oak
Creek on the next day, and the trip up to the cave, on the day
following that.
But the girls had not reached the living-room door before a "hist"
halted them. They turned in the direction of the sound and saw Jeb's
small head at the kitchen door. When he saw that he had gained their
attention, he beckoned furtively with a horny index finger.
Both girls tip-toed over to hear what news he had to impart, for his
behavior denoted some dread secret.
"Is Sary Dodd hangin' 'round?" he whispered, anxiously.
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