"We'll stay here till he comes home. Oh, this is a nice predicament. This is what comes of cushioning churches!"
"It might be worse," I said comfortingly. "Suppose the roof hadn't been flat?"
"Call Isaac," said Melissa shortly.
I didn't fancy calling Isaac, but call him I did, and when that failed to bring him Melissa condescended to call, too; but scream as we might, no Isaac appeared, and that dog sat there and smiled internally.
"It's no use," said Melissa sulkily at last. "Isaac Appleby is dead or away."
Half an hour passed; it seemed as long as a day. The sun just boiled down on that roof and we were nearly melted. We were dreadfully thirsty, and the heat made our heads ache, and I could see my muslin dress fading before my very eyes. As for the roses on my best hat—but that was too harrowing to think about.
Then we saw a welcome sight—Isaac Appleby coming through the yard with a hoe over his shoulder. He had probably been working in his field at the back of the house. I never thought I should have been so glad to see him.
"Isaac, oh, Isaac!" I called joyfully, leaning over as far as I dared.
Isaac looked up in amazement at me and Melissa craning our necks over the edge of the roof. Then he saw the dog and took in the situation. The creature actually grinned.
"Won't you call off your dog and let us get down, Isaac?" I said pleadingly.