“Oh, please, ma’am, don’t tell on me! Don’t carry me back, and I will hush!”
“Where do you live?”
“Nowhere. Oh!—oh!” And he renewed his cries.
“A probable story. What is your name?”
“Haven’t got any name.”
“You have no name, and you live nowhere? Come, little fellow, this will never do. I am afraid you are a very bad boy and have run away from home to escape being punished. Hush this instant!”
He had kept his face carefully concealed, and, resolved to ascertain the truth, Salome stooped and tried to lift him; but he struggled desperately, and screamed frantically,—
“Let me alone! I won’t go back! I will jump into the pond and drown myself if you don’t let me alone.”
He was so hoarse from constant crying that she could recognize no familiar tones in his voice, but a great dread seized her, and, suddenly putting her hands under his head, she forced the face up, and looked at the flushed, swollen features.
“Stanley! Is it possible? My poor little brother!”