Not for many moments did the little woman remain in this frame of mind.
After a time she began to realize that she had done exactly what she told Jack would be impossible—acted a lie, and her conscience began to trouble her greatly.
She tried to read a chapter in the Book with the hope of finding something to comfort her, and, failing in this, her thoughts went out to the children who had left so suddenly.
"Mercy on us!" she exclaimed. "Suppose Jack really has gone away, believing I would tell that man all I knew about him!"
This idea was sufficient to arouse her to action, and she went behind the barn, where she called softly,—
"Jack! Jack! Where are you?"
Not until this very feeble outcry had been repeated half a dozen times did she receive any reply, and then the hunchback, with Louis clasped in his arms, peered out from among the bushes.
"Has the farmer gone?" he asked in a whisper.
"Indeed he has."
"And you didn't tell him where we was?"