Всего за 5.99 руб. Купить полную версию
Neale only grunted. He was thinking, and although he increased the speed of the car a little, it was only for a short distance. Then he shut her down suddenly and stopped.
Whats the matter? demanded Agnes, curiously.
Where are you going, Neale? asked Ruth, as the boy crept out from behind the wheel, stepped over Agnes feet and the dog, and leaped out into the road.
I want to see something, muttered Neale. He went to the rear of the car. Then he uttered a shout:
Come and look at this, will you? What do you suppose that kid has done?
What kid? asked Agnes, following him nimbly out of the car. Tom Jonah bounded out, too, glad, probably, to stretch his cramped limbs.
Sammy Pinkney! said Neale, pushing back his dust mask and staring.
Ruth stood up to see over the folded-back top of the car. What is it? she demanded, unable to see anything.
But Agnes arrived beside Neale, and saw perfectly. Well! I never! she ejaculated. Sammy Pinkney! how dared you? What are you doing here?
For Sammy was roosting, more or less comfortably, on the back of the
car, and had a bright, new russet leather suitcase tied on beside him with a bit of rope. He presented a grinning, dusty, befreckled face to Neale and the Corner House girl.
CHAPTER VIII REFORMING A PIRATE
This was Sammys initial statement when Neale dragged him off his perch and brought him around to the side of the car where all could see him.
Why! you awful boy! I never! declared Agnes, shaking her head at him angrily.
Yes, you did, repeated Sammy.
Dont add to your wickedness by telling such a story, Sammy Pinkney, admonished Ruth.
Oh, Sammy! gasped Tess, dolefully.
I dont believe even pirates tell stories, added Dot, with grave conviction.
I aint! I aint telling a story, repeated the small boy, with earnestness. She did! she did!
I never! I never! responded Agnes.
Wait! put in Ruth, firmly. We are getting nowhere. Of course you did not tell him he could come, Aggie; but he must have thought you said something like that. What did she say, Sammy Pinkney?
She said she said, choked the now much-abused-sounding Sammy. She said shed like to see me find room aboard the car and I did! and he concluded with something like triumph.
Oh! gasped Agnes.
Well, I never! exclaimed Mrs. Heard, and it must be confessed she was immensely amused. What a boy!
Did you ever hear the like of that? repeated Ruth, using one of Mrs. MacCalls favorite expressions of amazement.
Im sure I didnt mean began Agnes, but her older sister said, quickly:
Of course you didnt, deary! And that boy should have known better.
She did tell me so she did! wailed Sammy. And Im going. My mother said I could and that you girls was awful nice to take me.
Cricky! murmured Neale, all of a broad grin now. You got a reputation that time, Aggie, for goodness, without meaning it.
I dont care
The thing is now, interrupted Ruth, decidedly, how to send him home.
At that Sammy lifted up his voice in a wail that might have touched a heart of stone. And really, after all, there was not a heart of stone in the whole party of tourists from the old Corner House not even in Tom Jonahs breast. The old dog went up to Sammy and tried to lap his tears away.
Oh, see here, kid! dont yell like that, begged Neale. Turn off the sprinkler. That wont get you anywhere.
Will you tell me what we are to do with him, then? demanded Ruth, quite put out. There is no room for him in the car.
I can stay where I was. I dont mind, gulped Sammy.
Never! declared Agnes. You made a show out of us all the way through town. Well never hear the last of it.
We were boarded by a pirate, sure enough, chuckled Neale.
Hes worse than any pirate, sighed Ruth. Wed know what to do with a real pirate.
I wonder? murmured Neale, his eyes twinkling.
But Ruth ignored him. She thought she saw her duty, and was determined to do it. I suppose we shall have to go back, she hesitated.
Oh, no, Ruthie! begged the two little girls in chorus.
I wouldnt go back for that horrid little scamp! snapped Agnes, her face flushing. Sammy Pinkney, you are the worst boy!
Sammy sniffed and looked at her. I found that ring you lost that time, Aggie Kenway. Member? he asked.
But you are an awful nuisance, pronounced Ruth, with conviction.
You never would have knowed your hens was layin in Mr. Benjamins lot last week if I hadnt ha told you, Ruthie Kenway so there, responded the youngster.
And you told me that that sick man was carrying a brick in his hat and he wasnt, Dot put in faintly.
Sammy grinned at that; but he was prompt to say, too: Well, who found all your dolls out on the grass where youd played lawn party, and brought em in just before the thunder shower the other day? Heh?
Cricky! exclaimed Neale, under his breath, and with some admiration, the kids making out a case.
Tess, the kind-hearted, would make no accusation; but Ruth, despite the boys rejoinders, remained firm.
No, she said. He must go home. Is there a railroad station near from which we can send him, Neale? Well telephone to his mother. We are a long way from town.