He hates them Creeches.

So don't tell him." "All right, Farlane, I won't.

Don't you tell, either," replied Lucy, soberly.
"Sure I'll keep mum.

But if Joel doesn't watch out I'll put a crimp in him myself." Lucy hurried away down the lane and entered the house without meeting any one.

In her room she changed her clothes and lay down to rest and think.
Strangely enough, Lucy might never have encountered Joel Creech out in the sage, for all the thought she gave him.