Melissa followed me , and we found ourselves on the roof -- fortunately it was a flat one -- panting and gasping , but safe , unless that diabolical dog could climb a ladder . I crept cautiously to the edge and peered over . The beast was sitting on his haunches at the foot of the ladder , and it was quite evident he was not short on time . The gleam in his eye seemed to say : `` I 've got you two unprincipled subscription hunters beautifully treed and it 's treed you 're going to stay . That is what I call satisfying . '' I reported the state of the case to Melissa . `` What shall we do ? '' I asked . `` Do ? '' said Melissa , snappishly . `` Why , stay here till Isaac Appleby comes out and takes that brute away ? What else can we do ? '' `` What if he is n't at home ? '' I suggested . `` We 'll stay here till he comes home . Oh , this is a nice predicament . This is what comes of cushioning churches ! '' `` It might be worse , '' I said comfortingly . `` Suppose the roof had n't been flat ? '' `` Call Isaac , '' said Melissa shortly .
I did n't fancy calling Isaac , but call him I did , and when that failed XXXXX bring him Melissa condescended to call , too ; but scream as we might , no Isaac appeared , and that dog sat there and smiled internally .
Appleby Melissa at if in of on till to unless