"It was just as well; because we had quite an adventure, on account of trying to find our own way in the dark."
Johnny got up on the wall, and began to tell Mr. Shepard about their sleeping in their own barn; while Sue drove over in the shade, and, with Julia's assistance, hitched the pony to a little sapling which grew near.
Mr. Shepard laughed very heartily at Johnny's account.
"Well, that beat all!" he said, as the girls came over and joined the group.
"So this is your sister, is it, John?"
"Yes, sir, this is Sue. She came over to ask a favor of you and Mrs. Shepard."
"She won't have to ask but once of me, then; I'm mighty fond of little gals: you see, all my children was boys. I allers did want a gal awfully; but I never had none till my poor sister died, and then Ruth came to live along with me."
Here a rather troubled expression flitted across Mr. Shepard's face.
"I came over about Ruth," said Sue, climbing up on the wall, and sitting down on a large stone at the top, close by Mr. Shepard's elbow. "I wanted to ask if she could come to our house, to dinner, and stay till towards night, when my mother will bring her home in the carriage."
"Is your mother in want of a nus girl?" inquired Mr. Shepard, looking still soberer than before.