strange contrast and jarred even Pee-Wee's stout nerves.

"There goes another," Charlie said; "we must be nearer to the
highway than I thought."

They had, indeed, inscribed a kind of loop and having passed its
farthest point from the main road were traveling toward it again and
would have emerged upon it just beyond the bridge but for the wood
embowered and sequestered village which was their destination. The
first sign of this village was a cow standing in the middle of the
grass-grown road as if to challenge their approach. Perhaps she was
stationed there as a sort of traffic cop.


CHAPTER V

ENTER PEPSY

It will be seen by a glance at the accompanying sketch that the village
of Everdoze was about opposite the bridge on the highway. From this main
road the village could be reached by a trail through the woods. On
hearing of this, Charlie expressed regret that he had not allowed his
passenger to make the final stage of the journey on foot.

"Well, I never in all my life !" said Aunt Jamsiah as Pee-Wee stepped
out of the car. "In goodness' name, where's the rest of you? I thought
you were a great, tall, strapping boy. I hope your appetite's bigger
than your body. And what on earth is that saucepan for? Are you going
to cook us all alive? Did you ever see such a thing?" she added,
speaking to Uncle Ebenezer who had stepped forward to welcome his nephew.