After supper Grandma Padgett made Zene take her into the stable-yard, that she might carry from the wagon some valuables which thieves in a town would be tempted to steal.
It was about this time that Corinne and Robert Day strayed down the front steps, consulted together and ventured down the street, came back, and ventured again to the next corner.
“He gave us the slip before,” said Robert, “but I'd like to get a good look at him for once.”
“Would you da'st to spend your gold dollar, though,” said aunt Corinne.
“Well, that's better than losin' it,” he responded.
It seemed very much better in aunt Corinne's eyes.
“We can just run down there, and run right back after we go in, while Ma Padgett is busy.”
“Then we'll have to be spry,” said Robert Day.
Having passed the first corner they were spry, springing along the streets with their hands locked. It was not hard to find one's way about in Richmond then, and the tavern was not far from the open square. They came upon the tent, the smoky tin torch, the crowd of idlers, and a loud-voiced youth who now stood at the entrance shouting the attractions within.
Robert dragged his aunt impetuously to the tent door and offered his gold dollar to the shouter.