"Let's run," I suggested. And run we did, like two
mad creatures, until we rounded a gentle curve and
brought up, panting, within a foot of a decrepit rail
fence. The rail fence enclosed a stubbly, lumpy field.
The field was inhabited by an inquiring cow. Von Gerhard
and I stood quite still, hand in hand, gazing at the cow.
Then we turned slowly and looked at each other.
"This pathway of glorified maples ends in a cow," I
said, solemnly. At which we both shrieked with mirth,
leaning on the decrepit fence and mopping our eyes with
our handkerchiefs.
"Did I not say you were sixteen?" taunted Von
Gerhard. We were getting surprisingly well acquainted.
"Such a scolding as we shall get! It will be quite
dark before we are home. Norah will be tearing her
hair."
It was a true prophecy. As we stampeded up the steps
the door was flung open, disclosing a tragic figure.
"Such a steak!" wailed Norah, " and it has been done
for hours and hours, and now it looks like a piece of fried
ear. Where have you two driveling idiots been? And
mushrooms too."
"She means that the ruined steak was further enhanced
by mushrooms," I explained in response to Von Gerhard's
bewildered look.
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