"A cat!" he repeated. "You fetched a cat--here?"

"Sartin we fetched it." Captain Shadrach was evidently losing patience.
"Did you think we'd fetch an elephant? Now get out them--them doll
babies and things."

Isaiah stared at the dolls. Mary-'Gusta stopped patting the basket and
hastened to the side of the buggy. "I'll take the dollies," she said.
"They're mine, too."

A moment later they entered the house. Mary-'Gusta bore three of the
dolls. Mr. Hamilton carried the other two, and Isaiah, with the valise
in one hand and the basket containing the shrieking David at arm's
length in the other, led the way. Captain Shad, after informing them
that he would be aboard in a jiffy, drove on to the barn.

The room they first entered was the kitchen. It was small, rather
untidy, and smelt strongly of fish and the fried potatoes.

"Come right along with me, Mary-'Gusta," said Zoeth. "Fetch the satchel,
Isaiah."

"Hold on," shouted the perturbed "cook and steward." "What--what in the
nation will I do with this critter?"

The "critter" was David, who was apparently turning somersaults in the
basket.

Zoeth hesitated. Mary-'Gusta settled the question.