"They're probably dead," replied Horace gently, and silence fell upon them. CHAPTER NINE Flea and Flukey Cronk, followed by the yellow dog, made their way farther and farther from Ithaca. They had left the university in the distance, when a dim streak of light warned them that day was approaching. It was here that Flea lagged behind her brother. "Ye're tired, Flea," said Flukey. "Yep." "Will ye crawl into a haystack if we come to one?" "Yep." They spoke no more until, farther on, a farmhouse, with dark barns in the rear, loomed up before them. "Ye wait here, Flea," said Flukey, "till I see where we can sleep." After an absence of a few minutes he returned and in silence conducted the girl by a roundabout way to a newly piled stack of hay. "I burried a place for us both," he whispered. "Ye crawl in first, Flea, and I'll bring in Snatchet. Lift yer leg up high and ye'll find the hole." A minute later they were tucked away from the cold morning, their small faces overshadowed by the new-mown hay, and here, through the morning hours, they slept soundly. Then again they set forth, and it was late in the afternoon when they drew up before the high fence encircling the fair-grounds at Dryden. The fall fair was in full blast. Crowds were passing in and out of the several gates. With longing heart, first Flea, then Flukey, placed an eye to a knothole, to watch the proceedings inside. Rows of sleek cattle waved their blue and red ribbons jauntily in the breeze; fat pigs, with the owners' names pasted on the cards in front, grunted in small pens. For a time the twins stood side by side, wishing with all their might that they were possessed of the necessary entrance-fee. "If I could get a job," said Flukey, "we could get in." "I could work, too," said Flea, her hands dug deep in her trousers pockets. Just then a man hailed them. "Want to get in, Kids?" he asked. "Yep!" bawled Flea and Flukey in unison, their hunger forgotten in this new delight. "Then help me carry in those boards, and then you can stay in." Flukey looked apprehensively at Flea. "Ye ain't a boy--" "Shet up!" snapped Flea. "My pants're as long as your'n, and I be a boy till we get to the good land. Heave a board on my shoulder, Fluke." They slid through the opening in the fence made to pass in the lumber, and for ten minutes aided their new friend by carrying plank after plank into the fair-grounds. When the work was done they stood awe-stricken, looking at the gorgeous surroundings. Flags waved aloft on each building; yards of bunting roped in exhibits of all kinds. Everywhere persons were walking to and fro. But still the squatter children stood motionless and stared with wide-open eyes at such an array of good things as had never before gladdened their sight. Then, after the strangeness had somewhat worn off, they wandered on, bewildered. Snatchet was hugged tight in Flukey's arms; for other dogs laid back their ears and growled at the yellow cur.