"Mrs. Alfrick," was the instant answer.
"And Polly—was she there too?"
Lily shook her head violently. "No."
"But she was at the fair. I know she was, for I met her. Didn't you see her—wasn't she with you there?"
"No."
Lily had never been known to speak a word that was not true.
John stared at her in silent surprise, but never thought of doubting her.
"This is a black business," he said after a minute, more to himself than to her. "Somebody's been telling lies. The next thing is to get to the bottom of it. Come along, little one. Let's go and say thank-you to Mr. Bland for bringing of you home. He must have had a job, a troublesome piece of goods like you!"
Something of John's old happy smile shone in his face as he kissed the child and lifted her to his shoulder and carried her through the garden where flowers were almost over, under the dripping apple-trees.
"Good afternoon, John," said the old schoolmaster, stretching out his hand. "We didn't expect to meet again so soon."