“Still, I might as well be wasting time that way as any other,” said Sam sourly, and quickened his pace.
“Don’t forget to tell your mother!” Lon called after him.
Sam waved a hand in reply, and went on to the house.
CHAPTER II
SAM TAKES CHANCES
In simple fairness it should be said that Sam Parker meditated no breach of parental authority. Indeed, as he was permitted to own a little rifle, and to hunt for small game, it was possible that no serious objection would have been raised to his quest for deer, though there might have been scant faith in his success. But Sam, as it was fated, was not to secure permission for his expedition.
Mrs. Parker was not in the dining-room. Sam saw that the room was unoccupied, and went on to the library. It, too, failed to reward him for his search. So did the living-room. He strode into the hall, and took station by the foot of the stairs.
“Mother! Oh, Mother!” he called. “Say, Mother! Mother!”
There was no reply from above stairs or below.
“But I say, Mother!” His voice rose shrilly in his impatience. “Where are you? Oh, Ma, Ma, Ma!”
A door at the back of the hall opened, but the head which appeared was that of Maggie.