human
Yes, Uncle Toby, I think that is what happened, said the old lady.
gpt
Some tramp, or somebody, must have been sneaking around your cabin. They looked in the window, saw my pudding, and took it while we were all in the dining room. 'Tisn't so much that I mind the pudding; that is, if it was taken by some one really hungry. For this is Thanksgiving, and I wouldn't want any one to go hungry. But if they had knocked at the door and asked for something to eat I'd have given it to them, and then the pudding would be safe. What are we going to do?
human
I don't know, answered Uncle Toby, as he and Aunt Sallie followed the children.
gpt
We never had any tramps in these woods. Maybe it's that queer man we saw over in Newt Baker's old shack. He may be a hungry tramp.
human
Well, something ought to be done about it, declared Aunt Sallie.
gpt
I won't feel safe with such people roaming the woods.
human
Maybe when I look in the snow under the window I'll see the paw marks of a bear,
gpt
What would that mean?
human
It would mean that a bear came up, put his paws in through the window, knocked the pan cover off and took the pudding,
gpt
Well, I'm not so much afraid of bears as I am of tramps, said Aunt Sallie, with a smile.
human
I almost wish it was a bear!