"Why, he was down at the train, waitin' to see if Uncle John would try to follow 'em and make 'em come home so's he could persecute 'em some more.

I wanted to do that, but they said if he did come I mightn't be strong enough to hold him and----" The brave lad paused again, modestly.

Miss Spence's expression was encouraging.

Her eyes were wide with astonishment, and there may have been in them, also, the mingled beginnings of admiration and self-reproach.

Penrod, warming to his work, felt safer every moment.
"And so," he continued, "I had to sit up with Aunt Clara.