“And Bouncer’s here,” May Nell added, hugging the dog affectionately.
“All right. I’m off!”
“But you haven’t told us what hurries you so,” Jean called, while Billy was already sprinting away.
“Can’t stop. It’s private anyway.” He waved his hand, ran across the foot-bridge and down the road, dodged into the brush for his wheel; and in a moment they heard his shout as he sped by toward town.
CHAPTER XIV
IN THE HAUNTED HOUSE
THE girls worked hard to bower the interior of the Lodge with evergreen; to spread and hang the rugs they had brought; but before their task was finished distant whistles warned Jean. She took Bouncer’s face between her hands and charged him with May Nell’s protection as if he were human. And Bouncer wagged his tail, and in a short, sharp bark pledged himself as if he were human.
“Don’t go off Mr. Potter’s land, will you, May Nell? The fenced part, I mean. Eat some lunch soon; Billy may be gone an hour longer. Good-bye. Don’t get too tired. I’ll send Clarence if I can find him.”
Jean, too, crossed the little bridge, climbed the fence, mounted her wheel, and rolled off down the dusty road.