She had more confidence in Mrs. Polly. But
Mrs. Polly did not offer to investigate herself until after supper.
They had been very busy that day, washing, and now there was churning
to do. Ann sat at the churn, Mrs. Polly was cutting up apples for
pies; and Nabby was washing dishes, when the rats and mice smote her
deaf ears again.
"I knew I heerd 'em then," she said; "I don't believe but what them
grain-chists is full of 'em."
"I am going to look," quoth Mrs. Polly then, in a tone of decision,
and straightway she rose and got a candle.
Ann's heart beat terribly. "O, I wouldn't go up there to-night," said
she.
"Yes; I am going. I'm going to satisfy Nabby about the rats in the
grain-chest, if I can."
She was out the door, at the foot of the stairs, Nabby behind her,
dishcloth and plate in hand, peering fearfully over her shoulder. Ann
was in despair. Only one chance of averting the discovery suggested
itself to her. _She tipped over the churn._ "O, oh!" she screamed.
Back rushed Mrs. Polly and Nabby, and that ended the rat-hunt for
that night.
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