Tobey stumbled past her headlong into the house, muttering, "I'm cold!"
She shut the door and followed him to the stove, where he stood shaking himself and beating at his damp clothes with clumsy fingers.
"What was that scream?" she asked him tensely. She knotted her rough fingers as she waited for his answer.
"I dunno," he grunted sullenly. His thick lower lip shoved itself forward, baby-fashion.
"Where you been?" she persisted.
As he did not answer she coaxed him, "Aw, come on, Tobey. Tell ma. Where you been?"
"I been catching butterflies," he answered. "I got a big one this time," with an air of triumph.
"Where was you when you heard the scream?" she asked him cunningly.
He gave a slow shake of his head. "I dunno," he answered in his dull voice.
A big shiver shook him. His teeth chattered and he crouched down on his knees before the open oven-door.