III.
JESSIE AND HER GRANDFATHER.
WHERE was Bessie?
When Lily and Belle turned to run from the figure which Hattie pointed out as that of the man who attacked her, she started with them, quite as much alarmed as the other two; and, if they thought about it at all, they imagined she was close behind them. But she had gone only a few steps when she heard a voice, a weak voice, calling after herself and her companions, and saying,—
"Don't be afraid, little girls; don't run away, little ladies. Couldn't ye stop a minute to help an old man?"