old you I heard a burglar, Rebecca," she went on,
hysterically, turning to her sister.

"Is Miss Rebecca there?" asked Mrs. Allen.

Rebecca came forward in silence. She was quite nonplussed. To tell the
truth, Phoebe's sudden outburst was as great a tax upon her nerves as
Mrs. Allen's unwelcome visit. Surely Phoebe had said nothing about a
burglar! It was Droop that Mrs. Allen had seen--of course it was. She
dared not say so in their visitor's presence, but she wondered mightily
at Phoebe's apparent perturbation.

Phoebe guessed her sister's mental confusion, and she sought to draw
Mrs. Allen's attention to herself to avoid the betrayal of their plans
which would certainly follow Rebecca's joining the conversation.

"Mis' Allen," she exclaimed, excitedly, "the's just one thing to be
done. Won't you run's quick's ever you can to Si Pray, an' ask him to
bring his gun? You won't meet the burglar 'cause he's gone the other
way. Rebecca 'nd I'll jest wait here for you an' Si. I'll get some hot
water from the kitchen, in case the burglar should come back while
you're gone. Oh, please will you do it?"

"Course I will," was the nervous reply. This hint of the possible return
of the robbers made an immediate retreat seem very desirable. "I'll go
right now. Won't be gone a minute. Lock your door now--quick!"

She turned and sped down the path. She had not reached the gate before
Phoebe walked rapidly into the parlor.

"Quick--quick!" she panted, frantically gathering up her belongings.
"Get your duds an' come along."

"But what d'you----"

"Come--come--come!" cried Phoebe. "Come quick or they'll all be here.
Gun and all!"

With her arm full of bundles, Phoebe rushed back through the hall and
out of the front door. Rebecca followed her, drawn along by the fiery
momentum of her sister.

"Lock the front door, Rebecca," Phoebe cried. Then, as she reached the
gate and found it fastened: "Here, I can't undo the gate. My hands are
full. Oh, _do_ hurry, Rebecca! We haven't a minute!"

The elder sister locked the front door and started down the path in
such a nervous fever that she left the key in the lock. Half way to the
gate she paused.

"Come on--come on!" Phoebe cried, stamping her foot.

"My land!" stammered Rebecca. "I've forgot everythin'!" She started
back, running with short, unaccustomed steps.

"My umbrella!" she gasped. "My recipes--my slips!"

Phoebe was speechless with anger and apprehension at this dela