“Sh-h-h-h-h-h! You got you’ boots on?”
“No,” said Baxter softly.
“Come wiz me and don’ make no noise!”
And the next thing that Baxter Spaulding knew, he was outside of the house, behind the wood-pile, holding a slight but charming figure in his arms, and saying:
“Why, Betty! why, Betty!” in a dazed sort of way, while a fat and motherly lady near by stood shaking with silent sobs, like a jelly-fish convulsed with sympathy and affection.
“We ’eaded you off in the stage-coach!” was all she said.
* * *
The next morning Mr. Reuben Pett was called out of the land of dreams by a familiar feminine voice from the next room.
“Reuben Pett!” it said; “where is Baxter?”
“Baxter!” yelled Mr. Pett; “your ma wants yer!”