But Mr. Crow was now fast asleep himself.
Early the next morning he entered the kitchen, where he found Caroline helping her mother with the breakfast.
Mrs. Crow paused in the act of paring slices from a side of bacon. She eyed her husband inimically.
"See here, Anderson, you just got to put a stop to all this foolishness."
"Don't bother me. Can't you see I'm thinkin'?" said he.
"Well, it's time you did somethin' more than think. That Smathers boy was here about ten minutes ago, red as a beet, askin' fer Susie. Carrie told him she wasn't up yet, and what do you think the little whipper-snapper said?"
Anderson blinked, and shook his head.
"He said, 'Well, I guess you'll do, Caroline. Would you mind steppin' outside fer a couple of minutes? I got somethin' I want to say to you in private.'"
Caroline sat down and laughed unrestrainedly.