"I want to know what he said before I get any deeper into the mud," persisted Kate; but we are compelled to acknowledge that her scruples were mere worldly prudence, and were not called forth by the upbraidings of an awakened conscience.
"You can't back out now, Kate. I made it all right with Mr. Long," replied Fanny, with energy, as she drew the skiff up to the steps, ready for her more timid companion to embark. "Now, get in, and don't waste another instant in talking about nothing."
"You are keeping everything to yourself. If you don't tell me what Mr. Long wanted of you, I won't get into the boat. Was it about the money you found?" asked Kate.
"No; he didn't say a word about that. He only asked me why I was not at school."
"What did you tell him?"
"I told him the teacher sent us down to get some green branches to put over the clock, for we were to have visitors at school this afternoon."
"Did he believe you?"
Kate laughed; she appreciated what she regarded as the joke of a clever deception; the wickedness of the act did not disturb her.
"Of course he believed me—why shouldn't he? He has gone up to ask Mrs. Green if I went to school."
"But he will find out all about it."