Christopher himself was surprised at being allowed to come to the supper table. He had fully expected to be sent to bed without any supper at all, but grandmother did not think it healthful to send growing children to bed without anything to eat. She allowed Christopher to have all the bread and butter and minced chicken that he wanted. It was only the sweets of which he was deprived.
Grandmother was very silent and thoughtful all evening and the twins were miserable. When bedtime came she kissed them both good-night very gravely and said:
“You must consider yourself a sort of prisoner all day to-morrow, Kit. I shall trust you not to go off the place. Your grandfather will be home to-morrow night and I am leaving your punishment to him.”
Jo Perkins, too, suffered the tortures of suspended judgment all the next day. He fulfilled his usual daily tasks about the stable, but Joshua gave him no instructions and Perk found a great many idle hours hanging heavily on his hands. He felt sadly left out of the busy farm-life.
In the afternoon, Letty drove Mrs. Hartwell-Jones out to see grandmother and to find out if Mrs. Baker were any the worse for her scare. Letty drove the ponies down to the stable and found Perk moping by himself in the harness room.
“Hello, what’s the matter?” she asked sympathetically.
“I’m wondering what I’ll do when I leave here,” replied Perk bluntly.
“Why, Perk, are you going away? I hadn’t heard that.”
“I guess I’ll get sent away—after yesterday’s doings.”
“Oh, no you won’t. Of course you did not do as you should have done yesterday, but Mr. and Mrs. Baker will forgive you, I’m sure. They are not the kind to shunt a person off without more of a trial than that. You just go to Mr. Baker when he gets home and tell him straight out that you’re sorry and will try to do better next time.”