"Well, then, it's a tiger or a lion, or perhaps a wolf. I'm sure I don't see what difference it makes what one is eaten by, when one has to be eaten."
"It's a man!" said Mrs. Willoughby, tremulously.
"A man!—nonsense, Kitty darling. A man walks; he doesn't go on all-fours, except when he is very, very small."
"Hush! it's some one coming to help us. Watch him, Minnie dear. Oh, how dangerous!"
"Do you really think so?" said Minnie, with evident pleasure. "Now that is really kind. But I wonder who it can be?"
Mrs. Willoughby squeezed her hand, and made no reply. She was watching the slow and cautious movement of the shadowy figure.
"He's coming nearer!" said she, tremulously.
Minnie felt her sister's hand throb at the quick movement of her heart, and heard her short, quick breathing.
"Who can it be, I wonder?" said Minnie, full of curiosity, but without any excitement at all.
"Oh, Minnie!"