“Liddy, you’re a little bit off—touched in mind—that’s what you are, Liddy. You never was quite all there.”
There arose another nervous shriek. Knives and forks dropped.
“What now, Liddy?” asked the farmer. “You set things all into agitation.”
The house dog joined Liddy in the new excitement. He ran under the table and to the clock and began to paw the case and to bark. There was a very happy, lively tone in his bark. He then sat down and watched the clock in a human way.
The guests waited for the farmer to speak.
“What did you see, Liddy?” asked Mis’ Overfield.
“The planets turned. Look there, now—now—there—there!”
The sun and moon on the clock face were indeed agitated. The old dog gave a leap into the air and barked more joyously than before.
“The valley of Ajalon!” said the farmer. “That old timepiece is bewitched. These things are mightily peculiarsome. I’m not inclined to be superstitious, but what am I to think, the planets turning around in that way? They say dogs do see apparitions first and start up. What would Annie say if she were here now? You don’t believe in signs, any of you, do you? I’m not superstitious, as I said, and I say it again. But what can be the matter with that there old clock-case? I hope that nothing has happened to Annie. She used to wind that clock. What do you suppose is the matter?”