A tiny hand, full of confidence, found and clasped her own. “I will take you to Tetherstones,” said the child.
They went out together, hand in hand, into the dripping darkness.
PART II
CHAPTER I
THE STRANGERS
How long she wandered with the child, stumbling through the darkness, Frances never knew. All that she realized and that with a deep thankfulness, was that her guide was quite sure of the way.
They spoke but little during the journey, only now and then the child’s voice, sweet and confident, broke the silence with words of encouragement.
“I’m so glad I found you. . . . We’re nearly there. . . . Granny has a big fire that you can get dry by. . . . And you can come and sleep in my bed. I can sleep with Aunt Maggie. . . . Are you very tired? We shall soon be there.”
And then at last there shone a glare of light in the darkness, and Frances roused herself to speech.
“What is that light?”
“That is Tetherstones,” said the child. “That is home.”