"For pity sakes! Give me time to breathe," Mrs. Andrews gasped. "It will take me a whole day to answer all your questions. Come, help these boys down."
Instead of at once obeying, Jess and Belle looked at each, other in consternation. Then they stared at the children.
"What's the matter?" Mrs. Andrews demanded. "Haven't you ever seen boys before? They won't bite."
"Whose are they?" Jess found voice to ask.
"They're ours now; that is, for a time, anyway."
"And are we to keep them, mother?"
"Certainly; until Mrs. Denton gets better."
"But we have two already," and Jess turned and looked toward the lads perched upon the apple-tree.
Mrs. Andrews also looked, and it was upon her face that an expression of consternation now appeared. Intuitively she realized that something unusual had taken place during her absence.
"Are they here to stay?" she demanded.