They were all sitting around the fire, Joanne the center of attention, when presently the growling of thunder was heard, a flash of lightning, a second and louder crash of thunder, then the pattering of drops on the roof. Unc’ Aaron, Pablo and Mr. Clover scudded away hastily. The boys prepared to follow.
“You mustn’t think of going back to camp,” exclaimed Mr. Pattison putting a detaining hand on Bob’s arm. “There is plenty of room here. I am used to stowing away twice as many.”
The boys hesitated, protested, but finally gave in. The prospect of a walk in a heavy thunder-storm did not appeal to them. Joanne hid her face in her Cousin Sue’s lap. “Suppose, just suppose, I were still out in the woods,” she said quaveringly.
“Thank God, you are not,” returned her cousin caressing the dark head on her knees.
“And but for me you would all be safe at home in Washington,” Joanne went on, lifting her head.
“I’m rather glad of an excuse to be here,” said Mrs. Pattison.
Joanne mentally agreed with her. It was very cosey sitting there by the open fire, safe from the lashing rain, and joining in the pleasant talk of friends, then when the thunder died away to occasional distant mutterings, to snuggle down in bed and listen to the gentle patter of the rain on the roof.
The morning broke bright and clear. Everything had been washed clean. The river sparkled in the sunlight; the misty green of trees showed fresher color; the grass was hung with myriads of glistening drops; shining rills ran down the hillside. Joanne looked out from her little window to see it all. The odor of griddle cakes soon took her down-stairs, however, and there she found Unc’ Aaron busy in the kitchen, the boys already up and out exploring, Mrs. Pattison setting the table, and Mr. Pattison tinkering at something about his automobile. Joanne’s appearance was the signal for Unc’ Aaron to sound the horn which hung outside the kitchen door, and presently the old man was kept so busy baking cakes that he could do nothing else, and the boys took turns in hurrying them from griddle to table. How they did eat! Fortunately Unc’ Aaron was never anything if not bountiful in his providing, and there was still a little batter left when all had declared there was an end to appetite.
The boys could not resist a scamper over the wet roads on Chico, coming back enthusiastic about the pony’s good points. “Little did I think when I first saw the little fellow that I would some day be riding him down here in Maryland,” said Bob. “One never knows what will happen. How interested mother will be when I tell her of this adventure.”
The temptation to eat one of Unc’ Aaron’s chicken dinners was too much for the boys to withstand, and after some faint protests they consented to stay till the others should start back home.