Part 31 (2/2)
A strange look pa.s.sed across Lon's face.
”Ye mean to hide in the cemetray?” he asked.
”Yep. Be ye afeared?”
”I ain't got no likin' for dead folks,” muttered Cronk.
He added nothing to this statement; but said after a moment's silence:
”Scraggy ought to go dead herself some of these days, 'cause she's allers a runnin' about in the storms. I see her ag'in tonight a startin'
out for another ja'nt. She had her bundle and her cat and was makin' a bee line for Ithaca.”
Lem glanced up quickly.
”I've changed my mind, Lon,” he grunted. ”I'll go to Tarrytown any day yer ready.”
Accordingly, they took a week to prepare their burglar's kit, which they had not used for sometime, and ten days after the slipping away of Screech Owl, Lon Cronk and Lem Crabbe left the squatter settlement and made their way to Tarrytown.
The once happy household of the Sh.e.l.lingtons had turned into a gloomy abode. Ann was nonplused at the strange behavior of her brother and the unusual reserve of Flea. Floyd from his bedroom endeavored to bring the home to its former cheerfulness; but, with all Ann's energies and the boy's tireless tact, the change did not come. At length Miss Sh.e.l.lington gave up trying to bring things to their usual routine. She spent her day hours in helping Fledra with her school studies and giving Floyd simple lessons at home. Everett came every evening, taking Ann from the sickroom. This left Fledra free to study quietly beside her brother.
One Thursday, after dinner, Horace went by invitation to Brimbecomb's home to play billiards. Of late the young men had not pa.s.sed much of their time together; for business and the presence of Fledra and Floyd in his house had given Horace less time for recreation. After a silent game they sat down to smoke. For many minutes they puffed without speaking. Everett finally opened the conversation.
”It seems more like old times to be here together again.”
”Yes, I've missed our bouts, Everett.”
”You've been exasperatingly conservative with your time lately!”
complained Everett. ”A fellow can't get sight of you unless your nose is poked in a book or you're in court!”
Horace laughed.
”Really, I've been awfully busy since--”
”Since the coming of your wonderful charges!” finished Brimbecomb.
Horace scented a sneer. His ears grew hot with anger.
”Ann has done more than I,” he explained; ”although there is nothing I would not do.”
”I can't understand it at all, old man! Pardon me if I seem dense, but it's almost an unheard-of thing for a fellow in your and Ann's positions to fill your home with--beggars.” His voice was low, with an inquiring touch in it. Having gained no satisfaction from Miss Sh.e.l.lington, he was seeking information from Horace.
”We don't think of either one of them as beggars,” interjected Horace.
”Both Ann and I have grown very fond of them.”
<script>