Secret of Richmond Manor Read Free

and said, “I’ll do the dishes.”
    â€œWell, I’ll help,” Tom said. “And you too, Jeff.”
    â€œI’m too full,” Jeff protested.
    But Tom reached down, grabbed him by the hair, and jerked him squealing to his feet.
    â€œYou’ll help, or I’ll strap you.” But he laughed.
    The young people cleaned up the supper dishes while Silas and Nelson Majors sat on the front porch. The three made a game out of it, laughing and having a good time. Finally they finished and walked out onto the porch too, where they sat until it grew dark.
    â€œGuess we need to go inside. The skeeters are gonna be getting bad,” Silas said.
    But Jeff said suddenly, “Have you been listening to that big old frog croaking down at the creek?”
    â€œSounds like a bull, don’t he?” Silas nodded. “He’s a big one!”
    â€œI’d like to go get me a mess of frogs,” Jeff said.
    Silas said, “Well, there’s a frog gig in the shed over there. It’s kind of rusty, but I reckon it’ll do. If you want to go, take you a lantern and have at it.”
    Jeff brightened.
    Leah knew he liked any kind of hunting and fishing.
    â€œCome on, Tom,” he said. “Let’s go.”
    â€œNot me. I’m going to go inside and sit down and not do a thing. I’ve got a feeling we’re going to be pretty busy after we go back.”
    Jeff looked at Leah. “Leah, you come. You can hold the lantern while I do the gigging.”
    Leah made a face, wrinkling up her nose. “Who’d eat an old frog?”
    â€œI would,” Jeff said. He cocked his head to one side and begged, “Come on, Leah. It’ll be fun.”
    â€œDon’t do it, Leah,” Tom advised. “He’ll have you doing all the work. That’s the way Jeff is.”
    Leah let Jeff coax for a little while, then said, “All right, but I’m going to put on my old clothes.” She went to her room and put on a pair of frayed overalls and old shoes.
    When she went outside, Jeff was waiting, holding a lantern and a long pole and a sack. “Look! This ought to get ’em.” He showed her the gig, which looked like a small pitchfork with four prongs, each having a barb.
    Then they walked down to the road, turned, and went on to the creek. The moon had begun to rise—a full moon, like a huge silver dish. By the light of it, Leah could see a small, flat-bottomed wooden boat.
    â€œYou get in front,” Jeff said. “I’ll do the paddling.”
    Leah scrambled into the boat, holding the lantern carefully.
    Jeff got in after her, picked up the paddle, and began to row slowly downstream.
    â€œIt’s sure quiet,” Leah said.
    At that moment a huge bull frog said,
“Harumph!”
and she nearly jumped out of the boat.
    â€œHold it! Hold that lantern up!” Jeff cried.
    Leah held the light high, and Jeff brought the boat to a stop. “Let’s sit still,” he said quietly. He picked up the frog gig and laid down the paddle. “There,” he said, “see there—there he is—look at the size of that frog!”
    Leah peered into the night, but the lantern light almost blinded her. Finally she did manage to see two gleaming eyes and made out the shape of a large frog perched on the bank.
    â€œCareful now—don’t move,” Jeff whispered. He picked up the paddle again, maneuvered the boat close to the bank, and grasped the frog gig. Then with a sudden lunge he speared the frog. “Got him!” he exclaimed. He pulled the frog in and removed him from the barbed prongs. As he dropped him into the sack, he said with satisfaction, “Kick all you want to, frog, but you’ll be breakfast tomorrow!”
    The frog thumped in the sack on the bottom of the boat, and Leah said again, “I don’t want to eat any old frog!”
    â€œDid you ever eat frog legs?”
    â€œNo, I