Page:Emma Speed Sampson--The shorn lamb.djvu/143

Rh "That ol' ram! Naw! He can't hurt a flea! All you have to do is shake a stick at him."

"He would have killed me if I hadn't jumped into the house of Faithful Heart."

"Is that what you call that there en-jine?"

"Yes. But won't you tell me your name so I can thank you for saving my life?"

Rebecca had begun to feel like the heroine of a romance and now that the hateful ram had taken himself off she was enjoying the experience hugely. "I am Rebecca Taylor."

"My name's Jo Bolling."

"Not really! Why, then you must be the brother of my first friend, Mr. Philip Boiling! But you couldn't be."

"I'd like to know why I couldn't be. I just am. What makes you say I couldn't be? I reckon girls are funny things, anyhow."

"Perhaps we are, but I'd be much obliged if you would help me out of this house."

"I won't help you out until you tell me why you think I can't be no brother to Philip."

"You have given two good reasons in what you have just said," teased Rebecca.

"Pooh! You ain't got no reason."

"Another good reason!"

"Aw, quit yer kiddin'! If you don't tell me I'll shut you in the box," he threatened, taking