Lock up that
paper, Aunt Thankful. If you don't, I will."
"But what was it that frightened him, Emily? I declare I'm gettin'
afraid to stay in this house myself. What was it he heard--and we
heard?"
"I don't know, but I mean to find out. I'm a sensible person this
morning, not an idiot, and I intend to lay that ghost."
When they went back into the dining-room they were surprised at what
they saw. Solomon was still sitting by the window, but Georgie was
sitting in a chair beside him, exhibiting the pictures in one of
his Christmas books and apparently on the best of terms with his new
acquaintance.
"I'm showin' him my 'Swiss Family Robinson,'" said the boy. "Here's
where they built a house in a tree, Mr. Cobb. Emmie told me about their
doin' it."
Solomon groaned.
"You better take this child away from me," he said. "He came to me of
his own accord, but he hadn't ought to stay. A man like me ain't fit to
have children around him."
Thankful had an inspiration.
"It's a sign," she cried, clapping her hands. "It's a sign sent to you,
Solomon. It means you're forgiven. That's what it means. Now you eat
your breakfast."
He was eating, or trying to eat, when someone knocked at the door.
Winnie S. Holt was standing on the step.
"Merry Christmas, Mrs. Barnes," he hailed. "Ain't drowned out after the
gale, be you? Judas priest! Our place is afloat. Dad says he cal'lates
we'll have to build a raft to get to the henhouse on. Here; here's
somethin' Mr.
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