“René, we’ve had enough of that. Stop it at once or go into the back of the wagon by yourself. You’re too big a boy to act like a baby.”
The child looked at his brother, and quickly recognizing the determination and force in the serious gaze bent upon him, set about controlling himself. Jack evidently meant business when he spoke in that tone. In their anxiety to compose René before they entered the town proper, they temporarily forgot about Priscilla. Like a flash, Desiré turned to look back.
“Jack!” she gasped, “I don’t see Prissy!”
The boy stopped the horses at once, and for a moment scanned the empty road in consternation.
CHAPTER VI
THE PIE SOCIAL
Turning the team, they started back. Dapple and Dolly lagged along, heads down; they were tired, and it was close to supper time.
Jack and Desiré peered into the bushes and trees on either side of the road for a glimpse of a red coat. Around a bend, among the trees far back from the road, they finally saw what they sought. Stopping the wagon, they watched for a moment to see what she was doing. Intently, apparently without thought of anything else, she was stealthily following a small black and white animal. Before they could shout a warning, she suddenly darted forward and seized the little creature. Out of her hands it twisted, filling the air with a strong, unpleasant odor; then it disappeared into the dense woods.
“Oh!” groaned Jack.
“Priscilla!” called Desiré sharply.
The child looked up, and began coming toward them.