When Nat approached the kitchen again an appetizing odor of frying fish filled the air. The boy's uncle followed him.
"Supper is ready," said Mrs. Felton, cheerfully. "You had some trouble with the cows, didn't you?" she continued.
"It was Nat's fault," grumbled Abner Balberry. "He made them run around an' upset everything. Nat, I said as how I was going to teach ye a lesson. You wash up an' go to bed at once."
"Go to bed?" queried the boy.
"Thet's what I said, didn't I?"
"Do you mean right after supper?"
"No, I mean before supper," snarled Abner Balberry.
"Oh, isn't he to have his supper first?" put in the housekeeper, timidly.
"No, he ain't."
After this abrupt declaration there was an awkward pause.