One stick of the wood fell upon Sary's toe, and not having "feet of brass or clay," she uttered a yelp of pain. Jeb never stopped to inquire what had caused that cry--whether of baffled love or shooting pains in a toe. Sary limped over to a wooden chair and sitting there with her foot held tenderly in both hands, she rocked back and forth, threatening, in an undertone, all males but Jeb in particular. "You-all jes' wait! Don't think Sary Dodd's a fule--cuz she hain't! Ah'll git you yit, so run away an' make-out like-es-how you are free and not lookin' to any female in pertickler!" Having thus unburdened her soul of its wrath against Jeb, the cook limped over to the stove to hang the kettle over the fire. Supper was late that night, but no one noticed it. Sary had perfected a scheme she was going to try on Jeb, some day, soon, so she was all smiles and patience when the family gathered about the table. "I see you set the table in the living-room, mother," remarked John, approvingly. "Oh, we have wrought many changes this summer, John, but the best of all is the one whereby we eat out-of-doors when it is good weather. To-night we will eat here as it is too dark under the old oak," explained Mrs. Brewster, smiling. Plans were now discussed for the trip to Top Notch the following morning, and it was decided that Jeb should go for Mike early, and secure his services as before. "If such a crowd of men are going, I don't see why the owners of the mine can't go, too. We are as safe there, as here," grumbled Polly. "Because we are going to make a three days' trip of this, Poll, and women-folk would not feel comfortable with such a lot of mixed men," explained John, pulling his sister's hair, lovingly. "Well, Polly and I are as good riders as any one of you, and seeing it is _our_ mine, we ought to have _some_thing to say about it," added Eleanor, poutingly. "I suppose you-all have forgotten that we invited that nice young stranger and his friend, Jim Latimer, over to spend this Sunday with us," now ventured Mrs. Brewster. "Oh, that's so! The boy Kenneth who looks like Montresor!" Anne now added, understanding Mrs. Brewster's idea and abetting it. "Kenneth Evans! Is it _this_ Sunday he is coming?" asked Eleanor eagerly. "We might be back on time for that; this is only Friday night, you know," persisted Polly, clinging to the hope of riding to Top Notch. "No girl or woman is going--let that end the argument!" now said Mr. Brewster, with finality. There was silence for a moment, then Polly laughingly said to Eleanor: "Nolla, you and I will ride over to visit some old friends of mine to-morrow. We will take our lunch and spend the day with them. As it is half-way on the Bear Forks road we might as well ride with our boys when they go." "Polly, we plan to leave here before dawn so we can be on the climb when day breaks. Nolla and you will please remember to be fast asleep at that time. Good-night!"