Instantly Vada was on her knees, crawling from under the table, followed closely by her faithful shadow. She came cautiously up to Sunny’s side and stood up.
“M’lasses?” she inquired, and her eyes spoke volumes.
“O-oh!” muttered Jamie, scrambling to his feet beside her holding up one fat hand.
Sunny, without replying, allowed them to dip their fingers into the pot and taste the molasses. He felt that the moment was critical, and he would not risk words which might easily set them scuttling back to their stronghold.
His strategy was successful. Up came the hands again, and he knew he had won their confidence. He allowed them another dip into the pot, and then began the business in hand.
“We’ll save the rest fer bimeby,” he said decidedly. “Meanwhiles we’ll fix things right.”
“Wot things?” inquired Vada.
“M’lasses,” said Jamie, with tearful eyes.
Again Sunny felt the crisis, but he carried the situation with a firm hand.
“Bimeby, laddie,” he said cheerfully. “Meanwhiles we’ll jest have a wash all round.”