“For the land’s sake, Miss!” drawled Lizzie Bean, “I never had no idea the woods was so lonesome—for a fac’.”
“No?”
“I sh’d say not! I went to bed and lay there an’ listened. The trees creaked, and the crickets twittered, and some bird had the nightmare an’ kep’ cryin’ like a baby––”
“I expect that was a screech-owl, Lizzie,” interrupted Laura. “They come out only at night.”
“Goodness to gracious! Do they come out every night?” demanded the girl.
“And them frogs?”
“They are tree-toads. Yes, they are here all summer, I guess.”
“Goodness to gracious! And folks like to live in the woods? Well!”
“Do you think you can stand it?” queried Laura, much amused, yet somewhat anxious, too.