CHAPTER IV. AN EXCITING CONTEST.
Jed was not mistaken.
When he returned to the poorhouse supper was ready, and Mr. and Mrs. Fogson were waiting for him with sour and angry faces.
"Where have you been?" demanded Fogson.
"Absent on business," announced Jed coolly.
"Don't you know that your business is to stay here and work?"
"I have been working all day."
"No, you haven't. You have been to the village."
"I had a good reason for going."