“Huh? What? I never got to sleep. I was being chased…”

“Oh please, thy were having a bad dream. That is all. But right now we have to get downstairs before everyone else. Does thee want some bacon or not? I know I do,” said Dawsey.

“That is just it. I was going to have bacon in my dream.”

“Well if thee wants any now, thee had better get dressed quick.”

Bertie started throwing his clothes on. He did not want to miss a second chance to get some bacon.

“Good, it looks like thee are hungry. I am hungry too. I want to get downstairs before everybody else picks over all of the food. Not that we will go hungry, just that the best stuff will be gone if we do not get down first.”

Bertie finished tying up his shoes.

“Great! Let us go down now and start eating,” said Dawsey.

The two boys left the bedroom and rushed downstairs. But when they got there, there were already some people down there. Dawsey looked a little dejected. They were not the first people down. Bertie on the other hand perked up. He could see what looked like a feast. There was bacon, sausage, a pot of cabbage, some oatmeal, and even some scrapple. It all smelled wonderful. Bertie sat down and started scooping stuff on his plate.

“Whoa, slow down there! There is plenty of food to go around. You are not going to starve today. So just slow down a little and take it easy,” said Father.

Bertie managed to get out a “Yes Father” between gulps of bacon and cabbage.

“Did they not feed thee on thy trip here to the States?”

Bertie smiled. “Yes they did Mr. Binns. But I was being chased by bad guys and Indians.”

“You were being chased by who?”

“I was being chased by bad guys and Indians in my dream Father. Just before I woke up, I was at a camp where I smelled bacon.”

“Oh, that explains it.” Mr. Binns smiled. “There are no bad guys here, so Thee does not have to worry about that. Plus, I have even better news for thee and Dawsey.”

“What is that Papa?”

“If thee and Bertie can feed the animals and finish all of thy chores, thee can take the afternoon and play as thee likes.”

“Thank thee Papa! We will definitely get everything done!” Dawsey jumped up and grabbed Bertie’s arm.

“Hey! Let go! I am not done yet. Let me finish eating”

“Yes, you had better let Bertie finish eating. Bertie can get quite grumpy if he does not finish his breakfast” Mr. Haigh smiled.

Dawsey gulped his food. Bertie ate his food a little slower. He was enjoying everything, especially the scrapple.

“This scrapple is good!”

“Thank thee Bertie. I added something special when we made it this time. Can thee tell what it is,” said Mrs. Binns.

“It does taste taste a little different than Mr. Young’s scrapple. I taste apple. Could that be it?”

“Yes! That is it! Thee has a discerning palate.” Mrs. Binns smiled at Bertie.

Dawsey finished what was on his plate and pushed it away. After a moment, he started drumming his fingers. “When will thee be done? I want to get to the barn and get started.”

“Give me a minute. I am not done yet,” said Bertie.

“Dawsey, give Bertie a chance to finish his meal. I am sure that he wants to help you finish thy chores and then go play,” said Mr. Binns.

Bertie wolfed down another strip of bacon. “Yes, I do want to help, but I want to finish eating” Bertie started another slice of scrapple. Dawsey looked annoyed. Mr. Binns and Mr. Haigh just chuckled.

But soon, even Bertie was done eating. Bertie and Dawsey asked to be excused, got up from the table, rushed over to the front foyer, put on their jackets, and went outside.

It was cool. But there was no wind, so it did not feel that bad. Overhead the sky was covered with clouds. It looked like it might rain. The boys headed over to the barn. Off in the distance they saw several cows. Next to the cows was a white sheep. At least that is what Bertie thought, until it started running straight at them.

“That is no sheep,” said Bertie.

“No, it is not,” said Dawsey. “You can stand behind me if thee are scared.”

“I am not scared.” Bertie said as he was starting to go behind Dawsey.

“Yes, behind me is probably the best place for thee. I would not want a wolf to attack thee.”

“A what!?”

Just then, the large, white wolf jumped up on Dawsey.