"Will, is that you?" called a forlorn voice from the depths. "Do, for goodness sake, get me out of this hole."
Archie instantly poked his head through the opening, and looked down at her.
"Cricket, by jingo! How's the weather down there?"
"Don't tease now, Arch," begged Cricket. "Get me up, for I'm nearly dead down here."
"Why don't you knock away some of the boards from the partition down-stairs?" asked Will. "It wouldn't take a moment. Where's the axe, Luke?"
"Will, you're the Lady from Philadelphia," exclaimed his mother. "Of course we can."
And in ten minutes more Cricket was a free individual again, and quite ready to attack their belated dinner.