"Well, I'll be hanged!" exclaimed Tom.
"And I'll be jiggered!" added Nat.
"The poor old man!" whispered Dorothy, venturing to take a step toward him. "And to think we were afraid of him!"
"Were!" remarked Tavia significantly. "I'm just scared to death this very minute. Suppose he screams again?"
"What if he does?" Dorothy whispered back. "Surely he has more cause to fear us than we have to fear him. I'm going to—help—with things."
Abe stood with wide-open mouth surveying "the ghost."
Tom and Nat had brought the relief supplies from the wagon—old Abe's strongest carry-all—which had successfully weathered the snowdrifts between Tanglewood Park and The Cedars.
"It's stopped snowing," announced Nat cheerfully. "Guess we will be able to make it all right by daylight."
"Fall in! fall in!" called the major, making a place for Captain Mayberry on the end of the seat that served as table and chairs collectively.
It was a queer meal—but a delightful one.