Clematis started to explain, but Mrs. Alder did not wait. She was nervous and quick.
She pulled the box out of her hands.
“Why Clematis, what is in this box?” Mrs. Alder looked at it in surprise.
Clematis did not answer. She gasped, and turned red as a rooster’s comb.
“It’s her money, Mrs. Alder,” said Mr. Ladd, laughing. “She has it tied up for safe keeping. The conductor told me so.”
Mrs. Alder lifted one corner of the box to peep in.
There was a scratching sound, and then out popped a little white, furry head, with sharp ears, and one black eye.
It was Deborah.