"Hear that!" Tunk whispered, turning to the teacher.
They all listened, hearing a low, weird cry outside the door.
"Soun's t' me like a raccoon," Miss S'mantha whispered thoughtfully.
"Or a lamb," said Miss Letitia.
"Er a painter," Tunk ventured, his ear turning to catch the sound.
"Let's open the door," said Sidney Trove, advancing.
"Not me," said Tunk, firmly, raising his gun.
Trove had not time to act before they heard a cry for help on the doorstep. It was the voice of a young girl. He opened the door, and there stood Mary Leblanc—a scholar of Linley School and the daughter of a poor Frenchman. She came in lugging a baby wrapped in a big shawl, and both crying.
"Oh, Miss Tower," said she; "pa has come out o' the woods drunk an' has threatened to kill the baby. Ma wants to know if you'll keep it here to-night."
The two old maids wrung their hands with astonishment and only said "y!"