Penny drew a chair up to the window. The room was cold. Her chair was straight-backed and hard. Minutes dragged by and still Trinidad did not put in an appearance.
“The horse may not come back tonight,” Penny thought, covering a yawn. “Guess I’ll jump into bed. I can hear just as well from there.”
She snuggled in beside Louise and enjoyed the warmth of the covers. A delightful drowsiness took possession of her. Though she struggled to stay awake, her eyelids became heavier and heavier.
Presently Penny slept. She slept soundly. When she awakened, the first rays of morning light were seeping in through the window. But it was not the sun that had aroused her from slumber. As she stirred drowsily, she became aware of an unusual sound. At first she could not place it. Then she realized that someone was pounding on the downstairs screen door.
Penny nudged Louise. When that did not arouse her, she gave her a vigorous shake.
“What now?” Louise mumbled crossly.
“Wake up! Someone’s downstairs pounding on the screen door.”
“Let ’em pound.” Louise rolled away from her chum’s grasp and tried to go back to sleep.
The thumping noise was repeated, louder and more insistent. Penny was sure she heard the rumble of many voices. Thoroughly puzzled, she swung out of bed and reached for a robe.
“Open up!” called a man’s voice from below.