At least he did n't seem at all frightened , and grinned most impishly at us . Kate and I turned on our heels and marched back in as dignified a manner as was possible under the circumstances . Half way up Aunt Susanna 's yard we forgot dignity and broke into a run . We had left the door open and the McGinnis dog had disappeared . Never shall I forget the sight we saw or the smell we smelled when we burst into that kitchen . There on the floor was the McGinnis dog and what was left of Aunt Susanna 's Thanksgiving turkey . As for the smell , imagine a commingled odor of scorching turnips and burning mince pies , and you have it . The dog fled out with a guilty yelp . I groaned and snatched the turnips off . Kate threw open the oven door and dragged out the pies . Pies and turnips were ruined as irretrievably as the turkey . `` Oh , what shall we do ? '' I cried miserably . I knew Margaret 's chance of college was gone forever . `` Do ! '' Kate was superb . She did n't lose her wits for a second . `` We 'll go home and borrow the girls ' dinner . Quick -- there 's just ten minutes before train time . Throw those pies and turnips into this basket -- the turkey too -- we 'll carry them with us to hide them . ''
I might not be able to evolve an idea like that on the spur of the moment , but I can XXXXX least act up to it when it is presented .
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