THE SUGAR MOON 37 



Toward evening Dick and Dotty May went 

 after the cows, and Uncle Isaac followed to 

 do the milking. 



** Nanny, do you believe your ma would miind 

 if you come home with me*?'' asked Aunt Mi- 

 randa. *^ Couldn't you run home and ask 

 her?" 



The evening had turned warm ; so Nani an- 

 swered, ^^I may stay with you when the night 

 is so mild that the sap will run.'' 



''Some folks don't approve of their children 

 staying with a neighbor overnight," remarked 

 Aunt Miranda, ''but I gues your ma knows 

 who the Briers air." 



They had reached the opening of the woods, 

 and on the hillside below nestled the white 

 farmhouse. Unasked, Nani's hand sought 

 Aunt Miranda's, and she skipped gaily along 

 beside her. 



But Aunt Miranda glanced sideways at 

 her through her spectacles. "Don't waste 

 your strength that way I" she said sharply. 

 "There's lots to be done in this work-a-day 

 world — dishwashing, dusting, and sich like — 



