"Come on, Joe; I s'pose we've got to go. The dude wants to thank us for lookin' after the princess."
"You can go; I sha'n't," Joe said, with difficulty, as if he were choking, and Plums gazed at him in surprise.
"Joseph! George! Where are you?"
"Out here by the garden, aunt Dorcas. Joe won't come in."
"Go on by yourself, an' leave me alone," Master Potter said, angrily, still keeping his face hidden from view.
"It can't do any hurt to have one look at the dudes, an' seein's how there's nothin' else goin' on, I guess I'll take the show in."
Then Master Plummer sauntered leisurely towards the cottage, and Joe, believing himself alone, began to sob as if his heart were breaking.
He failed to hear aunt Dorcas as she came swiftly out through the shed door and kneeled by his side. Not until she spoke did he think there was a witness to his grief.
"JOE, BELIEVING HIMSELF ALONE, BEGAN TO SOB AS IF HIS HEART WERE BREAKING."