“Well, the Superintendent says you've got to bring it straight back.”
“I'd like to see myself!” said Jimmy.
“He sha'n't bring it back,” declared Zoie. “I'll not let him!”
“What shall I tell the Superintendent?” asked Aggie, “he's holding the wire.”
“Tell him he can't have it,” answered Zoie, as though that were the end of the whole matter.
“Well,” concluded Aggie, “he says if Jimmy DOESN'T bring it back the mother's coming after it.”
“Good Lord!” exclaimed Zoie.
As for Jimmy, he bolted for the door. Aggie caught him by the sleeve as he passed. “Wait, Jimmy,” she said peremptorily. There was a moment of awful indecision, then something approaching an idea came to Zoie.
“Tell the Superintendent that it isn't here,” she whispered to Aggie across the footboard. “Tell him that Jimmy hasn't got here yet.”
“Yes,” agreed Jimmy, “tell him I haven't got here yet.”