The Duncans heard him coming a mile up the corduroy and could not believe their senses.

Freckles unfastened the box from his belt, and gave Mrs.Duncan and the children all the eatables it contained, except one big piece of cake that he carried to the sweet-loving Duncan.

He put the flowers back in the box and set it among his books.

He did not say anything, but they understood it was not to be touched.
"Thae's Freckles' flow'rs," said a tiny Scotsman, "but," he added cheerfully, "it's oor sweeties!" Freckles' face slowly flushed as he took Duncan's cake and started toward the swamp.

While Duncan ate, Freckles told him something about the evening, as well as he could find words to express himself, and the big man was so amazed he kept forgetting the treat in his hands.
Then Freckles mounted his wheel and began a spin that terminated only when the biggest Plymouth Rock in Duncan's coop saluted a new day, and long lines of light reddened the east.