`` Do n't it look beautiful ? '' said Prue , when they paused to admire the general effect . `` Pretty nice , I think . I wish Ma could see how well we can do it , '' began Tilly , when a loud howling startled both girls , and sent them flying to the window . The short afternoon had passed so quickly that twilight had come before they knew it , and now , as they looked out through the gathering dusk , they saw four small black figures tearing up the road , to come bursting in , all screaming at once : `` The bear , the bear ! Eph , get the gun ! He 's coming , he 's coming ! '' Eph had dropped his fiddle , and got down his gun before the girls could calm the children enough to tell their story , which they did in a somewhat incoherent manner . `` Down in the holler , coastin ' , we heard a growl , '' began Sol , with his eyes as big as saucers . `` I see him fust lookin ' over the wall , '' roared Seth , eager to get his share of honor . `` Awful big and shaggy , '' quavered Roxy , clinging to Tilly , while Rhody hid in Prue 's skirts , and piped out : `` His great paws kept clawing at us , and I was so scared my legs would hardly go . '' `` We ran away as fast as we could go , and he come growling after us . He 's awful hungry , and he 'll eat every one of us if he gets in , '' continued Sol , looking about him for a safe retreat . `` Oh , Eph , do n't let him eat us , '' cried both little girls , flying up stairs to hide under their mother 's bed , as their surest shelter . `` No danger of that , you little geese . I 'll shoot him as soon as he comes . Get out of the way , boys , '' and Eph raised the window to get good aim . `` There he is ! Fire away , and do n't miss ! '' cried Seth , hastily following Sol , who had climbed to the top of the dresser as a good perch from which to view the approaching fray .
XXXXX retired to the hearth as if bent on dying at her post rather than desert the turkey , now `` browning beautiful , '' as she expressed it .
Eph Prue Seth Sol Tilly afternoon coastin howling twilight wall