“Thank you. I hope I be; enough of one, anyhow, to see through a millstone, when there’s a hole in it. But you’ve come back so peart and sassy, sharpshooter, 124 I reckon I best go steep you a fresh dose of picra. After I’ve learnt all them tackers can tell.”
“Please, don’t be stern with them, Aunt Sally,” protested the mother. “Whatever they’ve done is but natural. It would be too much to expect them to refuse such a treat if it were offered them, and, maybe, John brought it to them.”
“John? My boy, John? After the raisin’ he had! Well, you’re on the wrong track there and I’m on the right one. Antonio Bernal, or some feller sneak of his, has been here at Sobrante, and you needn’t touch to tell me he hasn’t. Wait; I’ll find out now!” she ended, in triumph, and again the others were obliged to laugh, though Mrs. Trent’s brief mirth closed with a sigh, which Jessica heard and understood.
“Oh! don’t you fear, mother, dear. Aunt Sally wouldn’t hurt either of them, really; and, indeed, I don’t know who would keep them in order if she didn’t try. What mischief one can’t think of the other does, and I’ll run after her and see the thing out. Who knows but that they can tell us something about the missing staff?”
The runaways had made a detour by way of the kitchen, and adjoining the kitchen was the “cold closet,” which was the refuge they sought, and where already were stored some of the Christmas goodies. This closet had but one door and a securely shuttered window, and once the door was gained by the pursuer she would have the small miscreants in a trap. This she had seen and this it was which had given her that triumphant expression.
The captain also gained the pantry door just after it had closed behind Mrs. Benton and her prisoners, 125 and to her repeated request to be admitted, received the enigmatical answer:
“Time enough when I’ve pumped these little cisterns dry.”
“Are the children in there with you?”
“Certain.”
“You won’t hurt them, will you? Please don’t punish them to-day. I can’t bear it.”