Page:Frank Stockton - Rudder Grange.djvu/87

Rh get Mary to come and help me chain up the dog, and when she came out he began to chase me and then her; and we were so frightened that we climbed up here, and I don't know, I'm sure, how ever I got up that fence; and do you think he can climb up here?"

"Oh, no, my dear," I said.

"And he's just the beast to go afther a stip-ladder," said the girl, in muffled tones.

"And what are we to do?" asked Euphemia.

"We can't eat and sleep up here. Don't you think that if we were all to shout out together we could make some neighbour hear?"

"Oh, yes!" I said, "there is no doubt of it. But then, if a neighbour came, the dog would fall on him—"

"And tear him limb from limb," interrupted Euphemia.

"Yes; and besides, my dear, I should hate to have any of the neighbours come and find us all up here. It would look so utterly absurd. Let me try and think of some other plan."

"Well, please be as quick as you can. It's dreadful to be—who's that?"

I looked up and saw a female figure just entering the yard.

"Oh, what shall we do!" exclaimed Euphemia. "The dog will get her. Call to her!"

"No, no," said I; "don't make a noise. It will only bring the dog. He seems to have gone to the barn, or somewhere. Keep perfectly quiet, and she may go up the porch, and as the front door is not locked, she may rush into the house it she sees him coming."

"I do hope she will do that," said Euphemia anxiously.