They attained a noteworthy state of sogginess.
Finally, they were brought to the attention of the authorities indoors, and Della appeared upon the back porch.
"Musther Penrod," she called, "y'r mamma says ye'll c'm in the house this minute an' change y'r shoes an' stockin's an' everythun' else ye got on! D'ye hear me ?" Penrod, taken by surprise and unpleasantly alarmed, darted away from the tree he was depleting and ran for the stable.
"You tell her I'm dry as toast!" he shouted over his shoulder.
Della withdrew, wearing the air of a person gratuitously insulted; and a moment later she issued from the kitchen, carrying an umbrella.

She opened it and walked resolutely to the stable.
"She says I'm to bring ye in the house," said Della, "an' I'm goin' to bring ye!" Sam had joined Penrod in the carriage-house, and, with the beginnings of an unnamed terror, the two beheld this grim advance.

But they did not stay for its culmination.

Without a word to each other they hurriedly tiptoed up the stairs to the gloomy loft, and there they paused, listening.
They heard Della's steps upon the carriage-house floor.
"Ah, there's plenty places t'hide in," they heard her say; "but I'll show ye! She tole me to bring ye, and I'm--" She was interrupted by a peculiar sound--loud, chilling, dismal, and unmistakably not of human origin.

The boys knew it for Whitey's cough; but Della had not their experience.