"She won't tell me her errand," explained Harkness, looking like a guilty schoolboy caught in a bully's act.
"Harkness, shame on you! Let her go," cried Robin.
Freed from Harkness' hold Susy ran to Robin and clasped her knees. She was shaking so violently that she could do nothing more than make funny, incoherent sounds which were lost in the folds of Robin's skirt.
"See how you've frightened her! Susy-girl, don't. Don't. You're with the big girl. Tell me, what is the matter?"
Suddenly Susy pulled at Robin's hand and, still sobbing, dragged her resolutely toward the door. Robin caught something about "Granny."
"Something dreadful must have happened to frighten her," Robin declared to the others. "Won't you tell Robin, Susy? Do you want Robin to go with you to Granny's?"
At this Susy nodded violently, but when Robin moved to get her wraps she burst forth in renewed wailing and clung tightly to Robin's hand.
"Harkness, please get my coat and hat and overshoes. I'm going back with Susy. Something's happened—"
"Miss Gordon, indeed, you better not—" implored Harkness.
"Hurry! Haven't you tormented the poor child enough? Don't stand there like wood. If you don't get my things at once I'll go bareheaded!"