"Who there?"
It was her mother's voice that asked the question; but something in its tone fell discordantly upon the ears of the listeners and did not lessen their uneasiness.
"It is I—Margaret. Let me in, mother dear."
"You can't come in; go away."
"But, mother, I want to know how you are. Is your head better?"
"Yes—no."
"Please let me in. Why have you locked the door?"
"I wish—to be alone."
At that moment Miss Conway appeared upon the scene. She turned white as death when the situation was explained to her, and begged Margaret to go away, and let her try to persuade Mrs. Fowler to unlock the door.
"No, no," cried the little girl. "Something must be amiss with mother, or she would never act so strangely. Mother, mother, let me in," and she knocked at the door louder than before.