The slamming of a barn door over at Uncle Roger 's caused the cold perspiration to break out on our faces . `` I do n't believe it 's the Judgment Day , '' said Felix , `` and I never have believed it . But oh , I wish that clock would strike two . '' `` Ca n't you tell us a story to pass the time ? '' I entreated the Story Girl . She shook her head . `` No , it would be no use to try . But if this is n't the Judgment Day I 'll have a great one to tell of us being so scared . '' Pat presently came galloping up the orchard , carrying in his mouth a big field mouse , which , sitting down before us , he proceeded to devour , body and bones , afterwards licking his chops with great satisfaction . `` It ca n't be the Judgment Day , '' said Sara Ray , brightening up . `` Paddy would never be eating mice if it was . '' `` If that clock does n't soon strike two I shall go out of my seven senses , '' declared Cecily with unusual vehemence . `` Time always seems long when you 're waiting , '' said the Story Girl . `` But it does seem as if we had been here more than an hour . '' `` Maybe the clock struck and we did n't hear it , '' suggested Dan . `` Somebody 'd better go and see . '' `` I 'll go , '' said Cecily . `` I suppose , even if anything happens , I 'll have time to get back to you . '' We watched her white-clad figure pass through the gate and enter the front door . A few minutes passed -- or a few years -- we could not have told which .
Then Cecily came running at full speed back XXXXX us .
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