Mona laughed lightly, but putting on a wrap she slipped out of the house and crossed the lawn. Angry voices led her to the pine wood. There before the trespassers' board she found Jill brandishing her whip with fury in her face. Jack was by her side, armed with a stout stick; and Bumps, well in the rear, was picking up fir cones, and throwing them wildly at everybody.
Two workmen were the aggressors; the pile of stones was scattered on the ground, and they seemed to be enjoying the children's wrath.
"Who put those stones up?" Jill was screaming. "I did, and you're thieves to touch them!"
"But they comed from that there wall," argued the younger of the men; "and us have orders to build it up. 'Twasn't business of yours to take them stones from the wall. Back they shall go, or my name isn't Jim Hall!"
"You dare to touch one!" shouted Jack. "Come on and try, we're ready for you!"
"You're trespassers and thieves!" cried Jill. "Come on! I have my whip ready!"
It was at this juncture Mona stepped up. Directly she appeared, Jill dashed forward.
"Look at these men, they've pulled down our stones! They did it on purpose! They saw the board and they laughed at it. They are cheeking us now."