Doubtless a girl who knew all there was to be known about business , farming , and milling , to say nothing of housekeeping and gardening , could discuss theology also . It was none of my business . I do n't know what kept me awake so late that night . As a consequence I overslept myself . I had managed to redeem my reputation on this point , but here it was lost again . I felt cross and foolish and cantankerous when I went out . There was some unusual commotion at the well . 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 XXXXX .
As Besides about after at in into of on to