"We shall be going in a few days," answered Nora. "Tell your 'Paw' not to get excited."
"I'll tell you what," bubbled Emma. "Does he like bear meat?"
"Ah reckon he likes most any kind o' food," answered Mrs. Thompson.
"Good. Listen to me! We got a bear last night and we had part of him for breakfast. For a time it looked like he was going to have us for his breakfast, but we shot him and Lieutenant Wingate dressed him, and he was fine," declared Miss Dean with enthusiasm. "I will send the colored boy over with a fine bear steak for Mr. Thompson, and, if he is anything like Lieutenant Wingate, he will be mad no longer."
The mountain woman smiled at Emma's temperamental enthusiasm.
"I reckon he'll be mighty glad to have it," she nodded.
Before leaving, Hippy Wingate chucked the two little children under the chin and gave each a five-cent piece, promising to give them as much more each time he came for the milk.
"Queer about 'Paw,' ain't it?" mimicked Emma as they were on their way home. "I wonder if he is staying in the cornfield watching our camp. Perhaps he'll come out when he hears there is bear steak at home. My, but aren't those children dirty?"
Grace frowned when Nora told her of Emma's offer to give the Thompsons some of the bear meat.
"Emma, no good ever comes from babbling. I am sorry you did that, but so long as you promised you must make good," directed Grace.