CHAPTER XX

THE PLUNGE

Supper was over at the Farnam homestead and Agatha enjoyed the cool of the evening on the veranda with her hosts and George. The school had closed for the holidays, and George had arrived as the meal from which they had just got up was served. Although he had not stated his object yet, Agatha knew why he had come and shrank from the vigorous protest she expected him to make. In the meantime, she had something else to think about and listened for the noise of wheels.

Farnam's hired man had driven across to the settlement in the afternoon and she wondered, rather anxiously, whether he would bring her a telegram. She had written to Thirlwell, telling him when she would be ready to begin her search for the ore, and now waited his reply. Her letter might take some time to reach him, and she must allow for his messenger's journey to the railroad from the mine; but she knew she would feel restless until the answer came.

The evening was calm, the air was fresher than in the city, and she found the quiet soothing. A field of timothy grass near the house rippled languidly, the dark heads rising stiffly upright when the faint breeze dropped. Sometimes there was a movement among the tall blades and feathery plumes of the Indian corn, and then the rustle stopped and everything was still. Beyond the zig-zag fence, the fruit trees ran back in rows that converged and melted into a blurred mass at the edge of the bush. The narrow landscape had no prominent feature. It was smooth and calm, and Agatha found it rested her eyes and brain. She wanted to be tranquil, but must shortly rouse herself when Mrs. Farnam and George began their joint attack. George had an ominously determined look, and she knew Mabel would give him her support.

Based on the article and the following list of answers, write a list of questions.

1. yes
2. at the Farnam homestead
3. Agatha
4. no
5. no
6. The school had closed for the holidays
7. on the veranda
8. evening
9. it was cool
10. the noise of wheels.
11. a telegram.
12. Farnam's hired man
13. Thirlwell
14. anxious
15. the mine;
16. yes
17. Indian corn
18. fruit trees
19. Mrs. Farnam and George
1. Did they already have dinner?
2. Where?
3. who are guests at the house?
4. Is George a guest?
5. Did he get there in time to eat?
6. Why is school not in session?
7. Where are they hanging out?
8. What time of day is it?
9. How's the temperature?
10. What does she want to hear?
11. Is she expecting something?
12. Who might deliver it?
13. who is it from?
14. How is the wait making her feel?
15. Where is Thirlwell?
16. Do they grow crops here?
17. What is one of them?
18. Do you know of another?
19. Who will team up for an assault?