“I gotter see them kids,” declared Sadie, doggedly. “Seems to me, sometimes, as though something would bust right inside of me here,” and she clutched her dress at its bosom, “if I don’t see Willie and Dickie. I thought this big house was likely where the fresh airs was.”
“I should say not!” murmured Madge.
“They’re all right—don’t you be afraid,” said Ruth, softly.
“I thought mebbe the folks that was keepin’ the kids would let me work for them,” said Sadie, presently. “For kids is a lot of trouble, and I’m used to ’em. The matron at the home said I had a way with young’uns.”
She told them a good deal more about her adventures within the next half hour, but Madge had left the room just after making her last speech. While the girls were still listening to the runaway, a maid rapped at the door.
“Mr. Steele will see this—this strange girl in the library,” announced the servant.
Sadie looked a little scared for a moment, and glanced wildly around the big room for some way of escape.
“Gee! I ain’t got to talk with that man, have I?” she whispered.
“He won’t bite you,” laughed Heavy.
“He’s just as kind as kind can be,” declared Helen.