Page:Cornelia Meigs--The island of Appledore.djvu/121

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
The Island of Appledore
103

ward. She chattered gaily as she trotted by his side, and made many matter-of-fact comments on the adventures through which he had passed.

“I thought your clothes looked as though you had been doing something dreadful to them,” she said; “I am afraid they will never be good for anything again.”

Billy did cut rather a sorry figure for he had been wet and dried and wet and dried again, before his long nap on the dusty floor. He thought little of that, however, but hurried Sally forward through the gathering twilight until they reached the old mill.

It was almost completely dark inside, and felt damp and chilly. Sally had had the forethought to bring candles and matches and, under her instructions, Billy soon had a fire burning in the old fireplace. She bent over Captain Saulsby, who was still lying in the same deep-breathing stupor, and frowned and shook her head.

“He’s too old for such adventures,” was her comment. “I don’t like it.”

They heated some water at the fire and mixed a hot drink for the old man which he roused himself enough to swallow. They