"Don't you be scared of it," Pee-wee said.

"You're as bad as Licorice Stick. Those old boards don't know what
they're talking about. I wouldn't be scared of what anything said unless
it was alive, that's sure."

"They voted not to build a new bridge for two years because they've got
to build a new schoolhouse," said Pepsy. "That's because this county
hasn't got much money. I'll be glad when they build it; the floor's
going to be made out of stone; like--"

"You mean the bridge?"

"Yes, and I wish they'd hurry up. Every night I hear that and I know
boards tell the truth, because if a door squeaks that means you're going
to get married."

"All you need is an oil can to keep from getting married then," said
Pee-wee, "because if you oil a door it won't squeak. So there; lets hear
you answer that argument."

There was no answer to that argument; keeping single was just a matter
of lubrication; but just the same that appalling sentence which had
become fixed in Pepsy's mind, haunted her, especially when she lay on
her feather mattress in the yellow painted bed up in her little room.

She was just about to go in when they were aroused by a sound in the
distance. Pee-wee thought it was an auto and he made ready to deliver
his usual verbal assault to the travelers.

Louder and louder grew the sound and suddenly a motorcycle with no
headlight went whizzing past in the darkness. It was followed by
another, also without any headlight, but this second rider stopped a
little distance beyond the shack and got off his machine.

Something, he knew not what, dissuaded Pee-wee from making his customary
announcements and he stood in the darkness watching this second speeder
who seemed to be delayed by some trouble with his machine. The traveler
was certainly too hurried and preoccupied to think of doughnuts.

Meanwhile, the first cyclist had covered perhaps fifty yards and was
still going. The little red taillight of his machine shone brightly.
Pee-wee was just wondering why these travelers used no headlights and
whether the first cyclist would return to assist his friend, when he
beheld something which caught and held his gaze in rapt concentration.

The little red taillight went out and on four times in quick succession.
There followed an appreciable pause, then two quick flashes. Pee-wee
watched the tiny light, spellbound. It appeared for a couple of seconds,
then flashed twice with lightning rapidity.

"Hide," Pee-wee