“Yes, Gran’fer,” she said in laughing triumph. “And you carried him in!”
“Ha, ha, ha!” A great roar of glee came from the jubilant junior, and in the act of scrambling up, his knees relaxed in helpless mirth and he let himself fall forward once more in the box, in a convulsion of merriment. “Daniel Quarles, Carrier! Ha, ha, ha!”
“And see, Gran’fer!” cried Jinny in still greater triumph. “He came in on his hands and knees!”
Daniel Quarles’s bemused countenance changed magically.
“Ho, ho, ho!” he croaked. “On his hands and knees! Ho, ho, ho!”
Will’s spasms froze as by enchantment.
“Come along, Will,” said Jinny, hauling him out. “It’s a fair draw and you’ve got to shake hands.”
Will manfully put out his hand. “You nearly squashed me, Mr. Quarles,” he said ruefully.
“Ye wanted settin’ on,” said the Gaffer, chuckling, and he took the fleshy young hand in his bony fingers. “Ye sot yourself to ruin us. But what says the Book?” he demanded amiably. “He that diggeth a pit shall tumble into——”
“A box,” wound up Jinny merrily.