“Heavens and earth! What new caper’s this?” he shouted, making a dash at the culprits.
Becky, having her head down, had not seen the captain, but she heard his voice and recognized it. She gave one startled look, dropped the basket, and ran. Teddy was not slow in following her example. The captain made a motion as if to follow them, but giving a thought to the day, and perhaps another to the steepness of the hill they were rapidly descending, changed his mind, picked up the basket, and entered his house.
Becky and her accomplice made no stops until they reached home. They dashed into the sitting-room, breathless and frightened.
“Massy sakes! do you want to take the house down?” cried Aunt Hulda. “What on airth’s the matter now?”
“Aunt Hulda, I don’t believe you know a thing about making Sunday short and pleasant,” said Becky, indignantly. “I’ve tried it, and it’s just as hateful a way of having a good time as ever I saw.”
“Tried it! Tried what?” cried Aunt Hulda.
“Carrying nice things to sick folks, and getting snubbed for your pains,” said Becky.
“Yes, and gittin’ yer shins barked with plaguy big baskets,” added Teddy.
“Carrying things! What have you carried? Where have you been?”