Barbara, however, had seen more than the other girls, and, mustering up all her courage, ran to the door.
"Come back!" called the girls anxiously. Bab kept on, unheeding their cries. As she jerked the outside door open, they heard a crash and the frightful face suddenly disappeared from the window. Ruth and Olive rushed to the door. Both girls remembered that an old rain barrel had stood under that window for a long time.
"I've got the spook!" shouted Bab triumphantly. "I picked it out of the rain barrel." She came in, dragging by an ear the irrepressible Tom.
"Thomas Warrington Presby, what does this mean?" demanded Olive sternly.
"The—the rain barrel went to pieces," complained Tom.
"Oh! Was it you who scared us out of our wits?" questioned Mollie.
"I knew it was a false face almost the instant I saw it," said Barbara. "Thomas, I fear I shall have to turn you over to your father. You have evidently forgotten some things."
Tom wriggled, his face worked anxiously.
"Please don't. Maul me, do anything you want to punish me. I won't squeal, but don't peach to father."
"Girls, what shall we do with him?" asked Bab.