It was an old-fashioned open one , with a chain and windlass . Aunt Lucy was peering anxiously down its mouth , from which a ladder was sticking . Just as I got there Gussie emerged from its depths with a triumphant face . Her skirt was muddy and draggled , her hair had tumbled down , and she held a dripping black cat . `` Coco must have fallen into the well last night , '' she explained , as I helped her to the ground . `` I missed him at milking-time , and when I came to the well this morning I heard the most ear-splitting yowls coming up from it . I could n't think where he could possibly be , for the water was quite calm , until I saw he had crept into a little crevice in the stones on the side . So I got a ladder and went down after him . '' `` You should have called me , '' I said sourly . `` You might have killed yourself , going down there . '' `` And Coco might have tumbled in and drowned while you were getting up , '' retorted Gussie . `` Besides , what was the need ? I could go down as well as you . '' `` No doubt , '' I said , more sharply than I had any business to . `` I do n't dream of disputing your ability to do anything you may take it into your head to do . Most young ladies are not in the habit of going down wells , however . '' `` Perhaps not , '' she rejoined , with freezing calmness . `` But , as you may have discovered , I am not ` most young ladies . ' I am myself , Augusta Ashley , and accountable to nobody but myself if I choose to go down the well every day for pure love of it . '' She walked off in her wet dress with her muddy cat .
Gussie XXXXX was the only girl I ever saw who could be dignified under such circumstances .
Ashley Gussie Lucy day drowned need night skirt windlass yowls