Page:The adventures of Ann; stories of colonial times.djvu/93

Rh Nabby. She had more confidence in Mrs. Polly. But Mrs. Polly did not offer to investigate herself until after supper. They had been very busy that day, washing, and now there was churning to do. Ann sat at the churn, Mrs. Polly was cutting up apples for pies ; and Nabby was washing dishes, when the rats and mice smote her deaf ears again.

"I knew I heerd 'em then," she said; "I don't believe but what them grain-chists is full of 'em."

"I am going to look," quoth Mrs. Polly then, in a tone of decision, and straightway she rose and got a candle.

Ann's heart beat terribly. "O, I wouldn't go up there to-night," said she.

"Yes; I am going. I'm going to satisfy Nabby about the rats in the grain-chest, if I can."

She was out the door, at the foot of the stairs, Nabby behind her, dishcloth and plate in hand, peering fearfully over her shoulder. Ann was in despair. Only one chance of averting the discovery suggested itself to her. It was a dreadful one, but she took it. She tipped over the churn.