PART 2
The morning sun blazed but produced little warmth; instead a crisp chill permeated everything. Multi-colored leaves were stirred by the breeze; the fields were barren now that the harvests had been completed. Fireplaces with logs aflame produced fragrant smoke which hung in the air. Autumn was definitely here to stay.
Nan and Nat sat at the table and gazed lazily out the window. "Tomorrow is Hallowe'en," Nan remarked.
"Yes, I am so excited," Nat replied. "Did Mrs. Jo say anything about a party this year?"
"She hinted about something," said Nan. "Maybe Nick will give all of us a ride in the haywagon."
"Nick won't be here," Nat noted. "He said he was going into town to meet with some of his former shipmates."
"That's too bad," said Nan. "It would have been a lot of fun with him here."
Nat said nothing, but sat there thinking. "We should do something different this year," he finally said. "Instead of the usual bobbing for apples and that stuff."
Nan's face brightened with an almost mischievous grin. "I've got a wonderful idea!"
"What?"
"You know that old falling-down house over the ridge?" Nan explained. "We could wait until after dark and then go in there and tell our scary stories."
"That sounds really creepy," Nat smiled.
"Come on," Nan got up from her chair. "Let's tell everyone about our idea!"
Nan proposed her plan to the others during the morning chores. Most of them agreed that it was a great idea. Except for Bess. "I'm not sitting in that filthy old house," she had said; this was a ruse to conceal the fact that the notion terrified her.
"All right," Dan said. "The rest of us have agreed we will go. Bess, you are still welcome to join us. I'll protect you." Dan gave her a sly wink.
"Maybe," was all she said.
Tommy spoke up. "What about Mrs. Jo? You think she'll let us do something like that?"
"I don't see why not," said Nan. "After all, she doesn't like us telling our stories in front of the younger children."
"I don't think she'll let us go," said Emil.
"Don't worry," Nan smiled. "I'll ask Mrs. Jo. Leave it all to me!"
PART 3
