"We'll hev to go more careful here," said Rebecca as they turned into the lane leading down to the swamp.
With many a stumble and some scratches they moved more slowly down the rutted track until at length they reached the point where they were to turn into the swamp.
Here the sisters leaned against the wall to rest and recover breath.
"My goodness, but that was a narrow escape!" murmured Phœbe.
"Yes," said Rebecca, with reproachful sadness; "but I'm afraid you paid a heavy price fer it, Phœbe!"
"What do you mean?"
"Why, 's fur's I could make out, you told Mis' Allen a deliberate wrong story, Phœbe Wise."
"What did I say?" said Phœbe, in shocked surprise.
"You said you hed told me you'd heerd a burglar!"
"Did I say that? Those very words?"