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Main > Fairy tale > All authors > Frank Baum > Fairy tale "Aunt Jane's Nieces at Millville"

Aunt Jane's Nieces at Millville

He did not look around again, and was

congratulating himself that he would soon be out of earshot when a

sudden apparition ahead caused the mare to halt abruptly. It also caused

the cold chills to run down the agent's back. Beth and Patsy had stepped

into the lane from a field, being on their way home from their

daily walk.

"They're calling to you, sir," said Patsy to the agent. "Didn't you hear

them?"

"I--I'm a little deaf, miss," stammered McNutt, who recognized the young

ladies as Mr. Merrick's nieces.

"I think they wish you to go back," remarked Beth, thoughtfully watching

the frantic waves of Uncle John's chubby arms and Louise's energetic

beckonings. They were too far off to be heard plainly, but their actions

might surely be understood.

McNutt with reluctance looked over his shoulder, and a second shudder

went through him.

"I hain't got time to go back," he said, as an inspiration came to him;

"but I guess you kin do jest as well. This book here," picking up the

last of the three from the seat, "I offered to sell yer uncle fer five

dollars; but he wanted it fer four. I ain't no haggler, you understan',

so I jest driv away. Now Mr. Merrick has changed his mind an' is willin'

to give five fer it; but there ain't nuthin' small about me. Ef you

gals'll jest give me the four dollars ye kin take the book to yer uncle,

with my compliments; an' I won't hev t' go back. I'm in a

drea'ful hurry."

Patsy laughed at the little man's excited manner.

"Fortunately I have some money with me," she said; "but you may as well

take the five dollars, for unless Uncle had been willing to pay it he

would not have called you back."

"I think so, myself, miss," he rejoined, taking the money and handing

her the volume.

Uncle John and Louise, glaring at the distant group, saw the third red

book change hands, and in answer to their renewed cries and gestures

Patsy waved the "Lives of the Saints" at them reassuringly and came on

at a brisk walk, followed by Beth.

McNutt slapped the sorrel with the ends of the reins so energetically

that the mare broke into a trot, and before the girls had come within

speaking distance of their uncle, the agent was well out of sight and

exulting in the possession of eleven dollars to pay for his morning's

work.

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