‘Then shall we go in here?’ asked Lucius. ‘You think that is the best thing to do?’
‘I reckon,’ returned Ephraim laconically, and slipped in through the window by way of illustration. ‘By time!’ he exclaimed when he was fairly in, ‘thar’s been some one in hyar sence we made tracks out er it.’
‘How do you know?’ inquired Lucius, scrambling in to join him.
‘Why, all the food is gone,’ sighed Ephraim, pointing to the table with a sigh. ‘I war looking forward ter a fresh supply er them crackers after all this runnin’ around.’
‘I’ve got plenty here,’ said Lucius, slapping his pockets; ‘and you’ve got the ham.’
‘It won’t do ter gobble up thet jest yet, Luce,’ explained cautious Ephraim. ‘Ye kin hev jest wan slice ef ye’re sharp set, but we must keep some fer ter-night in case we run dry.’
‘No, I’m not very hungry,’ answered Lucius; ‘but I’ve turned most unaccountably sleepy all of a sudden.’
‘Nuthin’ onaccountable about thet,’ said Ephraim, ‘seein’ ye never went ter bed at all last night, and hev been up all ter-day. Lie down in the corner and take a snooze. I’ll look after things.’
‘Why,’ asked Lucius, surprised, ‘aren’t you sleepy, too? You said you were just now.’
‘Ez ter thet,’ responded Ephraim, ‘I kin hold old man Nod orf a bit yit, I reckon. It’ll maybe suit better ef we don’t go ter sleep at the same time.’