"Well then, DO it!"

"I will if you'll let me alone. If you'll go on back to the house I
promise to be there inside of two minutes. Honest!"

He put extreme urgency into this, and his mother turned toward the
house. "If you're not there in two minutes----"

"I will be!"

After her departure, Penrod expended some finalities of eloquence upon
Duke, then disgustedly gathered him up in his arms, dumped him into the
basket and, shouting sternly, "All in for the ground floor--step back
there, madam--all ready, Jim!" lowered dog and basket to the floor
of the storeroom. Duke sprang out in tumultuous relief, and bestowed
frantic affection upon his master as the latter slid down from the box.

Penrod dusted himself sketchily, experiencing a sense of satisfaction,
dulled by the overhanging afternoon, perhaps, but perceptible: he had
the feeling of one who has been true to a cause. The operation of the
elevator was unsinful and, save for the shock to Duke's nervous system,
it was harmless; but Penrod could not possibly have brought himself to
exhibit it in the presence of his mother or any other grown person in
the world. The reasons for secrecy were undefined; at least, Penrod did
not define them.



CHAPTER III THE COSTUME