My mind is carrying a heavy weight, Emma Dean," rebuked Hippy impressively.
"Nonsense! I know better.

If it was carrying a heavy burden your mind long ago would have caved in," retorted Emma.
Hippy Wingate threw up his hands in token of surrender, and breaking off a twig of laurel he gravely placed it in Emma's hair so that it drooped over her forehead.
"I bestow upon thee a crown of laurel," announced Hippy solemnly amid shouts of laughter.
"Come, children.

Breakfast is ready," called Grace Harlowe.
"Washington!" "Ah'm comin'," answered the colored boy from the bush.

"Ah found dis on de saddle," he announced, holding out an envelope to Grace.
She took it wonderingly.
"What's this?
The rural free delivery man here so early in the morning!" questioned Emma.
"This is addressed to you, Lieutenant," said Grace, handing the envelope to Lieutenant Wingate.
Hippy read it and a frown grew on his face, deepening as he read it a second time.
"More mystery ?" questioned Anne Nesbit.
"Yes.

Listen to this, will you ?" Hippy read out loud the following words, almost illegible on the much smeared paper: "'Yuh-all will git out o' these mountings right smart.