Angry, baffled, and exhausted, he was in nowise attractive. An interested group of boys and one or two little girls who had torn themselves away from the teacher's side encircled him. Dan looked at him in quiet amusement, and then called his dog and betook himself to school. Most of the group followed him, with reluctant glances back at the dishevelled stranger. One little girl lingered, eying him wonderingly, and twisting her apron-strings.
"Where is your school-house, little girl?" asked Harrington sharply.
The child felt compelled to answer.
"Round that there corner over there, and down the road a good piece."
Harrington glanced after the boys and the dog uncertainly. Did the dog go to school also?
"Where does your teacher board?" he asked again.
"She's boardin' round, an' it's Ann Peabody's turn this week. She's got a boy what's blind in one eye."
"Ah! Indeed! That's a pity. Where does Ann Peabody live?"
"Next door but one to the church. The house with Johnny-jump-ups by the gate, an' a laylock bush by the stoop."
"Thank you. Now tell me what time your school lets out, that's a little lady."