"Grandmother sent me after the basket," Rod explained. "I couldn't get
into the house, and so I thought maybe you were dead."

"Do I look like a dead person?" the woman asked, while a grim smile
lurked about the corners of her mouth.

"No, not now, Miss Arabella. But yesterday you looked as if you might
die at any moment."

"Well, yesterday is not to-day," she snapped. "I'm much better, so if
you'll come back, I'll give you the basket you left here."

When they had reached the house and entered the kitchen, Miss Arabella,
instead of getting the basket, sat down upon a splint-bottom chair, and
began to take off her wraps. Rod stood in the middle of the room and
watched her without saying a word. When the hat and shawl had been
removed and laid carefully upon the table, the woman turned to the boy.

"You told me yesterday," she began, "that you are a scout. Is that so?"

"Yes, Miss Arabella."

"But where is your scout suit?"

"I haven't it yet, and I can't get it until I have the money."

"Well, that's just what I want to speak about. Look here, Rod, you're
not such a bad boy after all, even though you did put a toad in my lap,
and drop that key down my neck. Now, I've made up my mind to help you.