“You had better be,” snapped the other.
“Oh, Rose, you’re a coward,” and Nellie laughed, as she kicked aside the vines. “I’m not going to work another minute, and you can go and tell Aunt Delia Ramsy if you’ve a mind to.”
At that moment a figure emerged from the shed at the end of the long line of green rows.
“There she is now, Nellie,” said Rose. “You can tell her yourself if you like.”
Without another word the girls both again began the task so lately left off, and berry after berry fell into the little baskets. Rose had almost filled her tray, and Nellie had hers about half full of the quart boxes.
“Rose!” called the woman’s shrill voice, from under the big blue sunbonnet. “Come up here and count these tally sticks. Some of those kids are snibbying.”
With a sigh Rose picked up her tray, and made her way through the narrow paths. Cora saw that the woman had noticed her talking to Bess and Belle, and while wishing for a chance to talk to Nellie alone, she beckoned to her companions to go along up to the shed.
“Maybe I’ll see you soon again,” almost whispered Nellie, in the way which so plainly betrays the hope of youth.
“I am sure you will,” replied Cora, smiling reassuringly.
“What strange girls,” remarked Belle.