Beyond that , dignity degenerated into stubbornness . It would be useless to say that she did not want to keep her damsons for three years , and that she was content to eat them up and trust to Providence for the next year 's supply . `` Well , well , bake them then , '' she said placidly . `` I do n't suppose it makes much difference one way or another . Only , I insist -- what was that noise , Clemantiny ? It sounded like something falling against the porch door . '' `` It 's that worthless dog of Martin 's , I suppose , '' said Clemantiny , grasping a broom handle with a grimness that boded ill for the dog . `` Mussing up my clean doorstep with his dirty paws again . I 'll fix him ! '' Clemantiny swept out through the porch and jerked open the door . There was a moment 's silence . Then Miss Salome heard her say , `` For the land 's sake ! Salome Whitney , come here . '' What Miss Salome saw when she hurried out was a white-faced boy stretched on the doorstep at Clemantiny 's feet . `` Is he dead ? '' she gasped . `` Dead ? No , '' sniffed Clemantiny . `` He 's fainted , that 's what he is . Where on earth did he come from ?
He ai n't a Hopedale XXXXX . ''
Dead boy dog moment noise paws sake silence trust way