“What’s that, Annie?” in answer to a husky whisper. “Do I expect you to-night? Rather! Is that the doll, Ada? Well, I can’t say that you’ve kept it very tidy. Where’s its pinafore?” She took the soiled object held up to her and examined its garments. “Where’s its petticoat?”
“Please, Miss, Hemly took them.”
“Took them away from you?”
“Yes, Miss.”
“For her own doll, I suppose.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Eppie cogitated. “I’ll speak to Emily about it presently. You shall have them back.”
“Please, Miss, I called her a thief.”
“You spoke the truth. How are you, Billy? You look decidedly better. Gavan, my hands are full for the next hour or so and I can’t even offer to take you with me, for I’m going to sick people. But I shall be back and through with all my work by tea-time, if you don’t mind going to my place and waiting. You’ll find Maude Allen there. She lives down here, and with me when I am here. She is a nice girl, though she will talk your head off.”
“How do I find her? I don’t mind waiting.”