"Good afternoon, Mock Hen! You are early to-day."
Mock took her hand and stroked it affectionately.
"I go Fulton Mark' buy li'l' terrapin. Stop in on way to see dear Miss Fan'."
They stood thus for a moment, and while they did so the clock struck four.
"I go now!" said Mock suddenly. "Four o'clock already."
"It's early," answered Miss Fanny. "Won't you stay a little while?"
"I go now," he repeated with resolution. "Good-by li'l' teacher!"
She watched until his lithe figure passed through the door, and presently returned to the back room. Mock waited outside until she had disappeared.
Then he changed back the clock.