Guess I'm a jedge o' mellings, when I sees 'em." "No one could see tonight," said Beth.
"Feelin's jest the same," declared the little man, confidently.
After wandering around a sufficient length of time to allay suspicion, Beth finally drew up before McNutt's house again.
"I'll jest take my share o' them mellings," said Peggy, as he alighted.
"They ain't much 'count, bein' Brayley's; but it'll save me an' the ol' woman from eatin' our own, or perhaps I kin sell 'em to Sam Cotting." He took rather more than his share of the spoils, but the girls had no voice to object.

They were by this time so convulsed with suppressed merriment that they had hard work not to shriek aloud their laughter.
For, in spite of the tragic revelations the morrow would bring forth, the situation was so undeniably ridiculous that they could not resist its humor.
"I've had a heap o' fun," whispered McNutt.

"Good night, gals.

Ef ye didn't belong to thet gum-twisted nabob, ye'd be some pun'kins." "Thank you, Mr.McNutt.Good night." And it was not until well on their journey to the farm that the girls finally dared to abandon further restraint.

Then, indeed, they made the grim, black hills of the plateau resound to the peals of their merry laughter..