“Not much, I won’t. The trouble is, until they came out here, Phil thought Nell was the nicest girl in the world, and Sallie thought—”
“Momsy, won’t you make that imp hold his tongue?” demanded the girl.
But Ted, satisfied with the mischief he had wrought, as evidenced by the flushed faces of Joy and Andy, took to his heels, shouting back: “Shall I go over to Chikau to telegraph Tom and Nell to come at once?”
Awkward, indeed, was the situation, and Mrs. Porter was wondering how she could best relieve it, when Margie cried:
“You needn’t worry about Tom and Nell. Beth says they are all going up to a camp in the Adirondacks and that they will postpone their visit to us until next year.”
“Thank goodness,” exclaimed Phil.
The embarrassment relieved by Margie’s information, Andy said:
“I have received word that your application for entry has been accepted, Mrs. Porter. Here is the paper which secures your claim. In due time the homestead will be granted to you.
“I have also seen Mr. Jackson. Petersen has made a full confession, which implicates Simmons in the effort to drive your sons from E 1. He also has returned the money he stole from the camp, and here it is.”
Gratefully the mother accepted it.