And the work of his
purveyors might have been more tedious if it had been less damp,
for a boy is seldom bored by anything that involves his
staying-out in the rain without protection. The drizzle had
thickened; the leaves were heavy with water, and at every jerk
the branches sent fat drops over the two collectors. They
attained a noteworthy state of sogginess.
Finally, they were brought to the attention of the authorities
indoors, and Della appeared upon the back porch.
"Musther Penrod," she called, "y'r mamma says ye'll c'm in the
house this minute an' change y'r shoes an' stockin's an'
everythun' else ye got on! D'ye hear me?"
Penrod, taken by surprise and unpleasantly alarmed, darted away
from the tree he was depleting and ran for the stable.
"You tell her I'm dry as toast!" he shouted over his shoulder.
Della withdrew, wearing the air of a person gratuitously
insulted; and a moment later she issued from the kitchen,
carrying an umbrella. She opened it and walked resolutely to the
stable.
"She says I'm to bring ye in the house," said Della, "an' I'm
goin' to bring ye!"
Sam had joined Penrod in the carriage-house, and, with the
beginnings of an unnamed terror, the two beheld this grim
advance.
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