Page:Frank Stockton - Rudder Grange.djvu/218

Rh for a couple of weeks. We've settled here for the present."

The man smiled. He didn't seem to understand it exactly, but he was evidently glad to see us so well satisfied. If he had had time to stop and have the matter explained to him he would probably have been better satisfied; but as it was he waved his whip to us and drove on. He was a good fellow.

We strolled all day, having locked up the house and taken our lunch with us; and when we came back it seemed really like coming home. Mrs. Carson, with whom we had left the key, had brought the milk and was making the fire. This woman was too kind. We determined to try and repay her in some way. After a splendid supper we went to bed happy.

The next day was a repetition of this one, but the day after it rained. So we determined to enjoy the old tavern, and we rummaged about everywhere. I visited the garret again, and we went to the old barn, with its mows half full of hay, and had rare times climbing about there. We were delighted that it happened to rain. In a wood-shed near the house I saw a big square board with letters on it. I examined the board, and found it was a sign—a hanging sign—and on it was painted in letters that were yet quite plain—

I called to Euphemia, and told her that I had found the old tavern sign. She came to look at it, and I pulled it out.