CHAPTER X
BAD NEWS
Roger slept late that morning, and his aunt would not let Adrian awaken him, much as the country boy desired to hear more of his cousin's adventures. It was almost ten o'clock when Roger came downstairs, rubbing his eyes. He found no one about the house but Clara, who greeted him with a smile and an invitation to sit down to a fresh hot breakfast she had prepared.
"Well, I must say I'm getting into lazy ways," was the boy's remark. "I'm used to getting up earlier than this when I'm home. Where's everybody except you?"
"Oh, father's picking some apples, Ade's gone up in the vineyard, mother's gone over to Mrs. Took's to borrow some molasses, the hired man's picking cucumbers, and I—"
"You have to stay home to bother getting me some breakfast," finished Roger. "I'm sorry to put you to so much trouble."
"It isn't any trouble at all," protested Clara, earnestly. "Mother said you must have a good sleep to make up for what you lost last night. My! But you must have been frightened. How's your back? We're all so glad you are safe that you can sleep until noon if you want to. Did you dream of wild-cats and Indians?"
"Answering your last question first, I will say I didn't dream at all," said Roger, smiling. "As for my back, I'd hardly know I was scratched. That's fine salve. I've had plenty of sleep, thank you, and I feel very well. Quite ready for breakfast, too, for I'm hungry," he added, as he sat down in front of the nicely browned cakes, the hot coffee, and the meat. He ate heartily, and just as he finished his aunt came in from the neighbor's. She was glad to see he had suffered no ill effects from his exposure in the woods, and his encounter with the wild-cat. While he was talking to Mrs. Kimball and Clara, Adrian came to the house.
"Sagoola!" said the country boy, smiling at his cousin.