“I had a call this morning from Miss Matilda Curtis.”
Everyone stopped eating suddenly and glanced apprehensively about him. Finally Sandy inquired carelessly:
“Wh-what did she want, Marm?”
“She came about her apples,” answered Mrs. Linn, and paused there to pour out a cup of tea. Deep and oppressive silence greeted this intelligence. It was Spud who caused a diversion finally by choking and having to be thumped on the back by Claire. Mrs. Linn handed the cup of tea to Hoop to be passed and continued.
“Yes, she wanted to know if I couldn’t use some of them. She says it’s a wonderful year for apples and they’ve got more than they know what to do with. I told her I’d be very glad of some for jelly. You boys all like apple jelly, don’t you?”
“Yes’m!” The reply was loud and enthusiastic. Gloom gave way to relief and joy and eight appetites reappeared as suddenly as they had departed.
“Gee,” said Spud afterwards on the porch, “I thought it was all up then for sure!”
“Me too,” responded Hoop. “That was the narrowest escape I ever did have. Say, it was an apple that Adam and Eve got into trouble about, wasn’t it? They must be wicked things. I never did like them much. Anyone can have mine that wants them.”
But there were no takers.