She was accustomed to her Uncle Jed's vagaries and knew that, in his own good time, an explanation would be forthcoming.

It came now.
"Why, you see," said Jed, "Phin Babbitt and the rest sendin' you over here to find a crank was their little joke.

They're enjoyin' it now.

The one thing needed to make 'em happy for life is to see you come out of here empty-handed and so b'ilin' mad that you froth over.

If you come out smilin' and with what you came after, why-- why, then the cream of their joke has turned a little sour, as you might say.