"You would do well to remember, Ernest, that you started this practical joking yourself. I hope it will be a lesson to you to refrain from such pranks in future."
"We didn't do anything but carry the bread over to the Captain without telling them. That's where they wanted it to go."
Mrs. Morton gasped. "Did you take the whole baking?"
Mrs. Morton considered a moment before replying.
"Well, Ernest, you boys have brought this annoyance upon yourselves--I think you will have to accept the consequences. I am too tired to fuss with the stitching to-night. If you go to Jenkinses you will have to wear your every day suits."
Mrs. Morton was already descending the stairs; she did not respond.
Ernest turned in despair to Sherm, who was examining the neat stitching ruefully.
Sherm grinned; "Guess we might as well take our medicine. Score one for the kids!"
"I think they might take a joke the way it was intended."
"They seem to have taken the joke and a few other things besides."
Sherm chuckled. Ernest laughed, too, a little sulkily.
"We're elected to stay at home all right, but I'll get ahead of them if it takes a month!"
By the time the boys had rearrayed themselves and come downstairs, the occupants of the grape arbor had vanished. They didn't return until the enemy had departed for a ride to soothe its ruffled feelings.
The girls retired to bed early, as innocent young people should.
"Did you have a good time at Mamie's last night?" asked Chicken Little at breakfast the next morning.
"No? I thought you intended to." This from Katy.
"You girls do get the queerest notions in your heads," observed Ernest loftily.
Gertie giggled. The boys looked at Gertie; they hadn't suspected Gertie. Katy also giggled, likewise Chicken Little. There is something exceedingly contagious about giggling.
"You girls seem to spend about half your time cackling--I hope you know what you are cackling about."
"We do," retorted Chicken Little, still sweetly.
Ernest and Sherm exchanged glances. After breakfast Ernest asked his mother if she had told the girls what happened the night before.
"I forgot to tell you that Mamie sent her regards to you and Katy," Ernest remarked casually.
"She said she was sorry you didn't come, too," added Sherm.