"What would pop say?"
"It's nearer than the nex' house."
"I'm kind o' tired," said 'Tilda Jane, politely and faintly. "Just drop me, an' you go back. I'll find some one."
"Nop," said Joe, firmly, "we promised pop."
"Come on," said Zebedee, "let's try the Folcutts."
They went slowly on to the next blot on the landscape,—this one, a low-roofed, red house with untidy windows, and a feeble, wavering line of smoke rising from the kitchen chimney.
They all went around to the back door, and, in response to their knock a slatternly woman appeared.
"What you want, boys?"
"Pop says will you take this gal to Nicatoos station?" asked Joe. "He'll square up with you when he comes out."
The woman looked 'Tilda Jane all over. "The roads is main heavy."