Without any explanation, she physically dragged the other girl from the porch and started her along the path.
“Come on! You have got to go. Why? Because you must!” was the way she accomplished the feat, all but the dragging. That she did with a strong and determined arm.
“What on earth——” began Edna, as soon as they were out of hearing distance of the others.
“No, it isn’t the dog. He’s gone, and good riddance! But it’s Jean. She is not gone, and bad riddance,” said Tavia. “I’m not afraid to go to the post-office now for I know the woman won’t be there with the sheriff. All the same, Ned,” and she lowered her voice appropriately, “I do think there is some mystery in that miniature hound. Dorothy never jokes that far.”
“No,” said Ned, in her economical way.
“I’d love to tell you, Neddie,” said Tavia excitedly, “but you are such a dunce.”
“Thanks,” said Ned. “I’m a dunce, surely, for getting into your scrapes. Now I’m going back. I know it’s another hold-up, or kidnapping, and I refuse——”
“Oh, Ned dear, you know I did not mean that. But one does get so tired of using good language in school, that’s it’s a positive comfort to ‘slang’ once in a while, and nobody appreciates my mental efforts in that direction as you do.” She slipped her hand into that of Edna with a meaning pressure.
“All right Tave, but mind you keep your word! My folks would never go my bail. That is a family motto. ‘Right for right and——’”
“‘Bad for bad,’” finished the facetious one. “What would have happened to me if that had been our coat of arms? But here we are. Just peek, so as we don’t run into the woman of the doggie!”