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Well? he demanded.
Good evening, said Bob. Could you let us have something to eat, sir? We would be glad to pay for it.
This isnt a hotel, said the man.
Oh, then you arent Mr. William Hooper?
Yes, thats me. Some one send you here?
Yes, sir. We met a man down at Locust Park who said he was sure youd
What was his name?
Er what was it, Dan?
Abner Wade, answered Dan promptly.
The name exerted a remarkable effect on Mr. William Hooper. His face flushed darkly and his hands clinched. Bob fell back from the doorway in alarm.
Abner Wade, eh? growled Mr. Hooper. Abner Wade sent ye, did he? I might have known it was him! Now you make tracks, the whole parcel of ye! If you aint outside my grounds in two minutes Ill set the dog on ye! Here, Brutus! Here, Brutus!
Et tu, Brute! muttered Dan as he fled down the path.
At the gate they brought up, laughing, and looked warily back for the dog. Much to their relief he wasnt in sight.
Dont believe hes got any dog, said Tommy.
Dont see why he should have, said Dan. Hes ugly enough himself to scare anyone away.
Id like to see that Abner Wade just about two minutes, said Nelson. Nice game he put up on us!
Yes. Old Bill hates him like poison, evidently, answered Bob. Hes an awful joker, Abe is!
Whatll we do? asked Tom.
Foot it to Jericho, I guess, said Bob. Its only about a mile.
Tom groaned dismally.
When I get back, said Dan darkly, Ill bet Ill tell that doctor of mine what I think of his old walking!
Heres some one coming, whispered Nelson. Lets light out.
Its a woman, said Bob. Guess its the old codgers wife. Lets wait.
She was a stout, kind-faced woman, and her hurried walk from the house had left her somewhat out of breath.
Boys, she gasped, Im real sorry about this. And I guess you didnt mean any harm.
Harm? echoed Bob. Nom, we just wanted some supper and were willing to pay for it. A man down at Locust Park
Yes, I know. That was the trouble. You see, Abner Wade and my husband aint been on speaking terms for ten years and more. Abner sold William a horse that wasnt just what he made it out to be; it died lessn a week afterwards; and William went to law about it, and Abner kept appealing or something, and it aint never come to a settlement, and I guess it never will. If you hadnt mentioned Abner Wade I guess it would have been all right. Im real sorry.
Oh, its all right, maam, Bob hastened to assure her. I dare say we can find something to eat at the hotel in Jericho.
There isnt any hotel there, far as I know, said Mrs. Hooper, shaking her head.
Dan whistled softly, and even Bob looked discouraged.
I guess its the cold, cold ground for us to-night, said Dan. If I only had a ham sandwich !
Mrs. Hooper cast a glance up the lane.
Maybe you boys wouldnt mind sleeping in the barn, she suggested doubtfully.
Indeed we wouldnt, said Bob.
That would be fun, assented Nelson.
Anyway, I dont see what better you can do, said the woman. Its a good five miles to Samoset, and I dont know of any hotel nearer than that. You go around here by that wall and cross over to the barn back of the garden. Youll find the little door at the side unlocked. Theres plenty of hay there, and I guess you can be right comfortable. As soon as I can Ill bring you out some supper.
Tom let out a subdued whoop of joy, and Dan did a double shuffle in the grass.
Its mighty good of you, said Bob warmly.
Yesm; were awfully much obliged, echoed Nelson.
Well be mighty glad to pay for it, Dan chimed in.
Well, I guess there wont be anything to pay, said Mrs. Hooper with a smile. Now you run along, and Ill come soon as I can. Williams kind of worked up, and I guess hed better not know about it. I want you to promise me one thing, though.
Yesm. What is it? asked Nelson.
Not to light any matches.
Yes, we promise.
All right. Run along now, and keep out of sight. Mrs. Hooper nodded good-naturedly, and turned back toward the house. Dan struck a dramatic attitude.
Supper! he cried.
Shut up, and come along, said Bob.
Well, said Dan, I guess heres where we get the laugh on Abe. Only well, if I ever have a chance to square things with him !
Words failed him, and with a sigh he followed the others down the road for a distance, over a fence, and so along a wall that skirted the truck garden. The little door was unlocked, as Mrs. Hooper had said it would be, and they stumbled into the twilight of the big barn. The only sound was the occasional stamping of a horse and the steady crunch-crunch of the cattle.
Fortunate beasts, whispered Nelson.
Overhead the mows were filled with fragrant hay, and near at hand a ladder led up to it. From a window high up at one end of the building a flood of red light entered from the sunset sky.
Shall we go up there now? asked Nelson.
No. Lets stay here until we get something to eat, said Bob.
So they made themselves comfortable, Dan and Nelson finding seats on some sacks of grain, and Bob and Tom climbing into the back of a wagon and sprawling out on the floor of it, hands under heads.
Ill bet no one will have to sing me asleep to-night, said Dan with a luxurious sigh. Just wait until I strike that hay up there!
Conversation was desultory for the next half hour, for all four of the boys were dead tired. Tommy even dropped off to sleep once, though he denied the fact indignantly. It seemed a long while before Mrs. Hooper appeared, but when she did, her burden more than atoned for the period of waiting. She carried a big tray, and it was piled high. There was cold mutton, a pitcher of hot tea, milk, stacks of bread and plenty of butter, preserved pears, a whole custard pie, and lots of cake. Tom was almost tearful. Mrs. Hooper set the tray down on a box and disappeared into the harness room, to return in a moment with a lighted lantern.
There, she said; now I guess you can see what youre eating. When you get through, set the tray here by the door, and Ill get it later. And put out the lantern carefully. Dont leave any sparks about. In the morning you stay up in the hay until I call you. My husband will be out in the field by seven and then you can come to the house and have some breakfast. Good night.
Good night, maam, they answered with full hearts and fuller mouths. Were awfully much obliged to you.
Yesm. Youve saved our lives, said Dan.
Mrs. Hooper surveyed them smilingly from the door.
Well, its real nice to see you boys eat, she said. I just couldnt bear to have you go tramping around so late without any supper. And William wouldnt have wanted it either, only if it hadnt been for Abner Wade, you see.
Yesm!
Good night, Mrs. Hooper!
Thank you very much!
Then the door closed behind her, and they were left to the enjoyment of their supper. And when I say enjoyment I know what Im talking about!
Say, fellows, said Dan presently, when the edge of his appetite had been dulled by many slices of cold meat and bread and butter, say, do you suppose were always going to eat in barns on this trip?