CHAPTER VII.
THE WORD-BATTLE AT COBBLEVILLE.
Penelope was in bed and asleep when Susie returned from the donation. So long a road home as Vosh Stebbins had selected, had required time to travel over it; and Mrs. Farnham had vetoed Pen's proposal to sit up. When they all reached the breakfast-table in the morning, there was a great deal to talk about, but it was not long before the spelling-match came up.
"Oh, yes! Susie," said Pen, "I was going to tell you all about it. You know how to spell."
"They say we can be counted in among the Benton spellers," began Port; but there was a very serious look on Susie's face as she said to him,—
"I promised to go; but then, to think of being spelled down!"
"Why, Susie!" exclaimed Pen, "where did you hear of it?"
"Wasn't she at the donation?" asked Corry. "Didn't she ride home with Vosh Stebbins? Guess she's heard as much as anybody."
That was not a bad guess; but it soon appeared that Susie was as much in earnest over the results of the match as if she were a regular Benton-valley settler, instead of a mere visitor.
There was plenty of enthusiasm warming up, but Deacon Farnham seemed inclined to throw cold water on their hope of victory. He reminded them of the disastrous manner in which their district champions had already been defeated twice in succession.