CHAPTER XXIII
Taylor and Black Joe were back in the forest by late afternoon. Helen was gone.
They went first to the men's shanty where Joe removed the worn and shabby suit he kept for such a rare event as a trip to Pancake and was struggling into overalls and a work shirt when John, importuned by Bobby to come and fix his see-saw, started toward the big house. Joe paused in his dressing.
"Say!" John stopped. Joe cleared his throat unnecessarily. "Tell her," he growled, "that I went to town an' that I'm back."
His voice was gruffer than ever, but John smiled as he walked away. Joe, who would not even speak to the sour Aunty May, sending her this trivial message of his well being!
He busied himself with the board and horse which made the children's teeter and saw Aunty May come to the door, mixing bowl on her hip, and glance at the children briefly, and look at length toward the men's shanty. She did this again and a third time; on her next appearance she came outside.
"Helen went to town," she volunteered.
"Yes?"
"Hump Bryant telephoned some news that made her glad. She's gone to bring him out for Sunday with the children. They don't see their Grandpa Humpy much."
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