dge on the highway. From this
main road the village could be reached by a trail through the woods. On
hearing of this, Charlie expressed regret that he had not allowed his
passenger to make the final stage of the journey on foot.

"Well, I never in all my life !" said Aunt Jamsiah as Pee-wee stepped
out of the car. "In goodness' name, where's the rest of you? I thought
you were a great, tall, strapping boy. I hope your appetite's bigger
than your body. And what on earth is that saucepan for? Are you going to
cook us all alive? Did you ever see such a thing?" she added, speaking
to Uncle Ebenezer who had stepped forward to welcome his nephew.

"He's all decked out like a carnival! He's just too killing!" She then
proceeded to embrace him while his martial paraphernalia clanked and
rattled.

"We won't need any more brass band," said a young girl in a gingham
apron and with brick red hair in long tightly woven braids, who stood
close by; "he's a melodeon. I don't see what they sent such a big car
for with such a little boy. 'Taint no fit, it ain't."

Pee-wee gave this girl a withering look which she boldly returned,
continuing to stare at him. Her face was covered with freckles and she
was so unqualifiedly plain and homely in face and attire that she might
be said to have been attractive on the ground of novelty.

"Pepsy," said Mrs. Quig, addressing her, "you shake hands with Walter
and tell him you and he are going to be good friends. You come right
here and do as I say now and no more of those looks."

"I ain't going to kiss him," the girl said by way of compromising.

"You give him a welcome just like Wiggle is doing," said Aunt Jamsiah,
"and be ashamed that you have to learn your manners from such as he. You
do as I say now."

"You're welcome--and I can beat you running," the girl said.

"Girls are afraid of snakes," Pee-wee retorted.

Meanwhile the individual who had been cited as a model of social
correctness by Aunt Jamsiah stood upon the doorstep looking eagerly up
into Pee-wee's face and wagging his tail with vigorous and lightning
rapidity. Wiggle's tail was easily the fastest thing in Everdoze. His
head vibrated in unison with it and his look of intentness carried with
it all sorts of friendly expectations. He fairly shook with excitement
and cordiality. He followed the sedan car a few yards upon its homeward
journey and then, by a sudden impulse, deserted it and returned to a
position directly in fro