The woods ceased and the path led them out onto Academy Road, where Hill Street turned off and where the village residences began. Hereabouts most of the trim white-walled structures were used as boarding- and rooming-houses for the Crofton students who were unable to secure accommodations in the school dormitories. At the corner was Mrs. Hooper’s; across the road from it, Jones’s; farther up Academy Road toward the school, Mrs. Sanger’s. To their left as they leaped the tumble-down stone wall was a comfortable-looking residence whose outbuildings nestled in the edge of the woods.
[“Well, what do you think of that!” ejaculated Poke.]
“Wonder who has the Timberlake place this year,” said Gil. “I see it’s rented.”
“Why did she give it up?” asked Poke idly.
“Went out West to live with her son, I believe. I don’t believe the old lady ever made much money here.”
[“Well, what do you think of that!” ejaculated Poke], stopping in his tracks and staring at the house in question. Perched on a short ladder was a boy of about Poke’s age, nailing a sign over the front steps. A girl in a white dress and with a long braid of yellow hair aglint in the sunshine was steadying the ladder. As the boys stopped to look, the last screw went home and the sign stood forth for all to see:
SUNNYWOOD COTTAGE