“Mom, something awful happened this afternoon.”
Then she told of their adventure at the deserted house. Mom looked serious. “Oh dear, you must never go near that place again. That man is sort of an old hermit. He lives there in a chicken coop with his goat. You must be kind to him, but it would be a good idea to keep out of his way.”
“Don’t worry, Mom, we will,” said Billy, and the others agreed.
By and by the boys drifted out to the front yard to play ball. Mom sat in the lawn swing watching the sunset, and Janie read the evening paper.
Far down the road there appeared a small black car. It came closer and closer around the curve, and finally stopped at the Murray gate.
“Toot Toot!”
“Grandma!”
“Aunt Claire!”
“Daddy rode out with them!”
“We have the little cottage all ready for you!”