MOBILE DIGITAL LIBRARY - SOCIETY OF YOUNG NIGERIAN ...

smothered shriek reached their ears; there was a scurrying noise, and then, with horror,they heard Della's footsteps in the passageway that ran by Whitey's manger. Immediatelythere came a louder shriek, and even in the anguish of knowing their secret discovered,they were shocked to hear distinctly the words, "O Lard in hivvin!" in the well-knownvoice of Della. She shrieked again, and they heard the rush of her footfalls across thecarriage-house floor. Wild words came from the outer air, and the kitchen door slammedviolently. It was all over. She had gone to "tell."Penrod and Sam plunged down the stairs and out of the stable. They climbed the backfence and fled up the alley. They turned into Sam's yard, and, without consultation,headed for the cellar doors, nor paused till they found themselves in the farthest, darkest,and gloomiest recess of the cellar. There, perspiring, stricken with fear, they sank downupon the earthen floor, with their moist backs against the stone wall.Thus with boys. The vague apprehensions that had been creeping upon Penrod and Samall afternoon had become monstrous; the unknown was before them. How great theircrime would turn out to be (now that it was in the hands of grown people), they did notknow, but, since it concerned a horse, it would undoubtedly be considered of terribledimensions.Their plans for a reward, and all the things that had seemed both innocent and practical inthe morning, now staggered their minds as manifestations of criminal folly. A new and