The kitchen door opened, and Dad came in, carrying a gallon jug full of fresh milk and two freshly picked musk-melons cradled in one arm. "First ones ripe," he said cheerfully. "We'll let you kids initiate the patch. Where's Mother? She can fix them for us...." "Out front, talking to a neighbor," said Joe. Dad deposited the melons on the sink and set the jug of milk in the refrigerator. "Neighbor? Wonder who'd stop out front, and not drive right into the yard...?" He walked through the house to the front room, and peered out through the curtains. Then he came back. "Ain't no neighbor," he said. "Somebody in a Mercury." Joe jumped and Pearl dropped her spoon. "Here, let me get you another spoon," said Dad. "Floor's pretty dirty--we had thrashers here yesterday...." The sound of footsteps on the back porch preceded the opening of the screen door. Pearl and Joe turned and stared. "Why, Joe," said Pearl's mother. "You up already? You could have stayed in bed a couple more hours, and got your sleep out." She walked up to him, took his face in her hands, and kissed him. Then she turned. "Dad, you found some ripe melons!" she exclaimed. "How lovely. I'll fix them right now, and we'll have them before I fix the pancakes." * * * * * Joe looked at Pearl, then sat down at a chair. "I'm starved," he said. "Those pancakes sound real good." "Who was that outside?" asked Dad. "Oh, some fellow asking the directions to Highway 13." "I suppose you told him to take the next fork to the left, then turn right at Perkin's general store," said Dad. "Why, of course, Dad," said Mother. "That's the way to go, isn't it?" "No," said Dad. She turned and put her hands on her hips. "Now, Dad, you know very well that is the way to Highway 13." "Usually," agreed Dad. "But it's closed now. Under repair. If he takes it, he'll be axle-deep in sand inside a quarter mile." "Oh, dear, I forgot about that," said Mother, anxiety showing itself on her face. "Don't worry about it," said Dad. "If he does get stuck, he'll come walking back here, and I can make five dollars pulling him out with the tractor." "You know you won't do any such thing," declared Mother. "You never charged anybody yet for pulling them out. Land sakes, you want Joe to think you're a highwayman?" "Isn't that why you sent him that way, so I could make five dollars?" asked Dad, a twinkle in his eye. "No, it isn't," said Mother. "But, come to think of it, it is a good idea, isn't it?" "If I didn't know you," said Dad, "I'd say you meant that. You aren't usually a kidder, Mother. What's got into you?" "Maybe it's Joe," said Mother. "He appreciates kidding, don't you, Joe?" "Sometimes," said Joe, looking at her sharply. There was no twinkle in her eye. "But I didn't know you could do it with such a straight face?" "Don't see why not," she said. She turned back to the sink. "Do you kids want some ice cream in your melons?"