sed and regarded Katharine
with an expression of great pride. But instead of admiration her mobile
countenance expressed only disgust, and to his question, "H-h-how's
that?" she retorted: "Nasty, dirty thing! You go wash your hands before
you touch a single one of our eggs!"

"'O-o-our' eggs!" repeated Monty, scornfully, to hide his own chagrin.
"H-h-how long since th-th-they were 'ours'?"

"Oh, dear! Do come down and wash, and let's quit quarrelling. Seems as
if we never could agree about things, yet we must. We've got to be
friends if we have to keep Aunt Eunice's secret, for even though you did
tell it before it was hers you needn't make it worse and speak of it
again. If anybody asks you about it now, all you must do is to keep
perfectly still. Not say a word. Let them think what they please, but
don't you talk. Now, isn't there any other way to go upon the hay
except by that beam? The Widow Sprigg said she was going up there
herself soon as she got time, and I'm sure she doesn't do what you did."

"C-c-couldn't do it with--out," asserted the climber, referring to the
moistening operation.

"I mean she would never 'shinny' up a straight, slivery beam."

"Huh! I s'pose there's a l-l-lad-der, do for g-g-girls," asserted
Montgomery, indifferently.

"Then show it to me and I'll begin to teach you how not to stammer."

He looked at her sharply, but there was such perfect sincerity in her
face that he accepted her promise joyfully, and led her to the rear of
the barn where a rude but strong ladder led from the "bay" at the bottom
to the top of the hay, almost touching the roof. Jumping from the higher
board floor of the barn into this bay Montgomery ran nimbly up the
perpendicular ladder, which was so straight it seemed fairly to tilt
backwards, like an overerect person, and Katharine followed as best she
might. She was afraid but determined, and, though the slippery blades of
the dried grass fell over the rounds of the ladder, making foothold
difficult, she managed to reach the level beneath the eaves and was
pulled over into safety by the boy.

"Isn't this delightful? I was never in such a lovely place before, so
smelly and sweet and warm. I don't wonder hens like it up here, though
it's scarey coming up. Don't you think so?" she asked, looking around
upon the lofty mow with curious gaze.

"S-s-scarey? Pooh! That's 'cause you're a girl. G-g-g-irls wasn't made
to climb. B-boys were. I can climb first-rate. Yes,