Boxcar Children (2) B

The children were so tired that they went right to sleep. They slept all day, and it was night again when they woke up. Benny said at once, "Oh, Jessie, I'm hungry. I want something to eat." "Good old Benny," said Henry. "We'll have supper." Jessie took out a loaf of bread and cut it into four pieces. It was soon gone. "I want some water," begged Benny. "Not now," said Henry. "You may have some water when it gets dark. There is a pump near the farmhouse. But if we leave the haystack now, someone will see us." When it was dark, the children came out of the haystack and went quietly toward the farmhouse, which was dark and still. Nearby was a pump, and Henry pumped water as quietly as he could. He did not even wake up the hens and chickens. "I want a cup," said Benny. "No, Benny," whispered Henry. "You will have to put your mouth right in the water. You can play you are a horse." This pleased Benny. Henry pumped and pumped, and at last Benny had all the water he wanted. The water was cold and sweet, and all the children drank. Then they ran across the field toward the road. "If we hear anyone," said Jessie, "we must hide behind the bushes." just as she said this, the children heard a horse and cart coming up the road. "Keep very still, Benny!" whispered Henry. "Don't say a word." The children got behind the bushes as fast as they could, for they did not have much time to hide. The horse came nearer and nearer and began to walk up the hill toward them. Then the children could hear a man talking. It was the baker! "I wonder where those children went," he said. "I don't think they could walk as far as Silver City. If we don't find them in Greenfield, we'll go home." "Yes," answered his wife. "I do not want to find them, anyway. I don't like children, but we must try a little while longer. We will look for them in Greenfield, and that's all." The children watched until the horse and cart had gone down the road. Then they came out from behind the bushes and looked at each other. "My, I am glad those people did not see us!" said Henry. "You were a good boy, Benny, to keep still.” “We'll not go to Greenfield." "I wonder how far it is to Silver City," said Jessie.