"So did I," said another.
"Well, Bill Gray told Jinks Ike had stole a cow-bell that belonged to the black farrer cow," said another late comer.
"Stole a cow-bell," and they all drew closer together. This was really worth while!
"Yes, sir; Jinks told me he heard Bill say so yesterday. That's the way I heard it."
"Well, I'll be cussed, if that ain't small business for Ike Harkey!"
"How did it happen?" asked Cranby, with sharpened appetite.
"Well, I didn't hear no p'rtic'lars, but it seems the bell was hangin' on a peg in the barn, and when they got home from church it was gone, hide an' hair. Bill is dead sure Ike took it."
"Say, there'll be fun over that yet, won't they," said one of the fellows, with a grin.
"Well, Ike better keep out of Bill's way, that's all."
"Well—I ain't takin' sides. Some young'un may have took it."