“Did you ever see such impudence?” said Kyzie, laughing.
But mamma was not listening.
“Jessie ate that cake!” she exclaimed. “Where is John?”
John was surprised to see every one so excited.
“I let the cow out into the back yard yesterday about two minutes,” said he; “but I never thought of her cutting up a caper in the pantry! When I went after her, she was standing close to the pantry window, to be sure, and the screen was out. I put it back; and thinks I, ‘That’s the second time I’ve done it to-day. I’ll fix that screen Monday so it will act better.’”
“Did you see Jessie eating the cake?”
“No, ma’am; she must have swallowed it pretty spry, for I never saw a crumb of it.”
“O Jessie, Jessie! we never knew you were a thief!” said Edith, hugging the pretty animal whose “sweet tooth” had caused all this trouble.
Mrs. Dunlee had no time or thought for the cow. She was watching the happy smiles on Jimmy’s face.
“My precious, innocent boy!” said she, holding him close, as if she could never let him go.