“What did he say?”
“He was mad,” answered Zeke, laughing. “I thought he would be.”
“Did he send any message to me?” asked Philip.
“No; he stopped fishin’ and went home.” Here the conversation was interrupted. The loud tones in which Zeke had been speaking, in order to be heard through the door, had attracted attention below.
His father came to the foot of the attic stairs and demanded suspiciously:
“What you doin’ there, Zeke?”
“Tryin’ to cheer up Phil Gray,” answered Zeke jocosely.
“He don’t need any cheerin’ up. He’s all right. I reckon you’re up to some mischief.”
“No, I ain’t.”
“Come along down.”