And now, when it
was too late, he realized the possible danger. Only a few hours
ago he had told Mr. and Mrs. George Powless that the key to that
house had been lost.
He paused and hesitated. Mrs. Armstrong noticed his hesitation.
"Please don't think any more about it," she said. "It is
delightful here in the yard. Babbie and I will stay here a few
minutes, if we may, and you must go back to your work, Mr.
Winslow."
But Jed, having put his foot in it, was ashamed to withdraw. He
hastened to disclaim any intention of withdrawal.
"No, no," he protested. "I don't need to go to work, not yet
anyhow. I should be real pleased to show you the house, ma'am.
You wait now and I'll fetch the key."
Some five minutes later he reappeared with triumph in his eye and
the "lost" key in his hand.
"Sorry to keep you waitin', ma'am," he explained. "The key had--
er--stole its nest, as you might say. Got it now, though."
His visitors looked at the key, which was attached by a cord to a
slab of wood about the size of half a shingle. Upon one side of
the slab were lettered in black paint the words HERE IT IS.
Barbara's curiosity was aroused.
"What have you got those letters on there for, Mr. Winslow?" she
asked. "What does it say?"
Jed solemnly read the inscription. "I printed that on there," he
explained, "so I'd be able to find the key when I wanted it.
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