They were glancing all around the room, and if Buster hadn’t been so well concealed they would have seen him. Nell turned to them with dignity, and said in her high little voice:
“What an idea! Is there a bear around here? Oh, I’d dearly like to see him! I know he wouldn’t hurt me! Where did he come from? Is he outside?”
She ran to the window and looked out. Satisfied now that Buster was not in the room, the men climbed out, but they closed the window after them, and said: “Keep that shut, Nell!”
In the next story Buster is discovered in the house.
STORY XIV
Buster Tries to Escape and is Discovered
When the men left the room and closed the window after them, Buster and the little girl felt greatly relieved. Satisfied that the bear had not climbed in the open window, the searching party turned their attention elsewhere. But the danger wasn’t over yet, and Nell knew it. She patted the top of the bed-clothes, and whispered:
“Keep quiet a little longer, Buster. Here comes some one up the stairs.”