Eliph' said she was.
“Well, say,” said the boy, “she's got to go home to Kilo, right away. Her dad telephoned up, and he don't know whether he's dying or not, and she's got to go right home.”
Eliph' turned and hurried to where Miss Sally was standing.
“I hope it ain't nothing serious, Miss Briggs,” he said, “but that boy has come to give you a message that come by telephone. I think your father ain't well.”
Miss Sally dropped the cake she was holding, and ran to the fence.
“What is it?” she gasped.
“Well,” said the boy, “my dad was in the post office just now, and the telephone bell rang, and he looked around to see where Julius was, and Julius he had gone outside to see what Mr. Fogarty, from up to the Corners, wanted. I don't know what he wanted. Pa didn't tell me. I don't know as pa knew, anyway, but I guess he wanted something, or else he wouldn't have motioned Julius to go out, unless he just wanted to talk to Julium. Mebby he just wanted to ask Julius if there was any mail for him. So pa answered the telephone.”
“Well, what did it say?” asked Miss Sally impatiently.
“You've got a pa, haven't you?” asked the boy.
“Yes,” said Miss Sally.