They threw their baggage on the grass and walked up to the front door.
They had to knock several times before their summons was answered.
Then an old lady opened the door several inches and peeped out.
"What do you want ?" she demanded in a cracked voice.
"Good afternoon," said Dick politely.

"Can we hire somebody to drive us to Ashton?
We were on the train, but there has been a smash-up, and we--" "Land sakes alive! A smash-up, did you say ?" cried the old lady.
"Yes, madam." "Was my son Jimmie killed ?" "Nobody was killed or even hurt." "Sure of that?
My son Jimmie went to Crawford yesterday an' was coming back this afternoon.

Sure he wasn't on that train ?" "If he was he wasn't hurt," answered Dick.

"Can we hire a carriage to take us to Ashton ?" "How did it happen--that accident ?" "The express ran into the end of a freight train." "Land sakes alive! The freight! Maybe it was the one we sent the cows away on.

Was there any cows killed, do you know ?" "I don't think so." "Well, tell me the particulars, will you?
I don't go out much an' so I don't hear nuthin'.