Page:Milady at Arms (1937).pdf/167

 "Ye did not! Why, Sally said" His mother paused to stare at him perplexedly.

"What did Sally know o't!" returned James. He turned grimly to the scarlet-cheeked girl. "So 'tis you, mistress, I ha' to thank for being locked out o' mine own house!" he said in a sarcastic voice.

"Nay, James, remember thy manners! Sally be not to blame, forsooth, only thyself, for staying out betimes!" interposed Mistress Williams. Then, as Sally seated herself silently at the breakfast table, her hostess resumed her serving and glanced amusedly from girl to boy. It was obvious to her maternal eye that Sally, offended by something James had said or done, had played a trick upon him.

"And doubtless the young rogue well deserved it!" thought his mother, smiling to herself.

Aloud, she asked innocently: "How did ye reach your bed, James?"

"I climbed Granddad's grapevine," returned James sullenly, referring to the strong and ancient vine, planted years ago, in 1730, when old Amos had finished his stone house and had moved in with his family. Now the vine grew against the house walls, forming a most convenient flight of leaf-lined steps.

Sally sat in troubled silence, consuming her portion of mush and milk. Behind her troubled expression, however, lay more than girlish resent-