The children obediently acted upon this suggestion and started for home. On their way they talked constantly of their letter, trying vainly to guess what it might contain.
"It's something small, anyway," said Luella, "for it doesn't seem to take any room."
"Maybe 'tisn't anything, after all," said Francis.
"Oh, yes, it is; for the letter is registered, you know."
So they went on talking and wondering until they had gone about half the distance toward home. Then they reached a spreading apple tree which grew by a fence near the sidewalk, and beneath which was a large stone, often used as a resting-place for pedestrians.
"Let's sit down a while," said Francis. "I feel tired; don't you?"
"Yes, but father wouldn't like us to stop."
"Oh, yes, he would, if he knew how tired we are. I'm going to rest a moment, anyway. That can't be any harm."
Luella allowed herself to follow her brother's example. So they took the first step in disobedience.
Next Luella said: "I wonder if we couldn't just unfasten the bag and look at that letter again. It's our letter, you know."