"What's all this about?" said John angrily. "Who are you, and what have you been saying to the child, to frighten her like that?"
The man did not answer for a moment. He was a small, white-faced man, with a light moustache and a look of attempted smartness. He seemed to wish to be civil, though the appearance and manner of John were certainly not encouraging.
"I didn't mean to frighten little Missy," he said. "I know a bit more about her than you do, perhaps, and I was just asking her a question or two, to see what she knows about herself."
"And what business is that of yours?" demanded John.
"Or of yours either, if you come to that. You ain't no relation, and I suppose you don't pretend to be. If that little girl will come along of me, I'll take her straight to her father."
"You'll do nothing of the sort," said John furiously.
"Who's to prevent me?"
"I'll prevent you."
"Who are you, I should like to know?"
The man turned a little whiter, and his voice was quite as angry as John's, though not so loud. The schoolmistress came down from the doorstep, and laid her hand on Lily's shoulder.