"Just as you please, Miss Clopatry."
"I think we may venture," said Mrs. Kenyon. "Dr. Fox will not be likely to come back at present."
The two ladies went down the ladder rather awkwardly, not being used to such a staircase. In fact, Cleopatra lost her footing, and fell in a very unqueenly attitude on the earthen floor. She was picked up, however, without having sustained any serious injury.
After breakfast Mrs. Kenyon held a consultation with Nancy as to the course she had better pursue.
"Better stay here till night, Mis' Kenyon," advised the old woman, "and then I'll take you through the woods to Scranton, where the railroad is. Ef you go now, the doctor'll come cross you and take you back."
"Where do the cars go, Nancy? To Charleston?"
"No, Miss Kenyon. They go down souf to Georgia."
Until then Mrs. Kenyon had had no fixed plan, except it had occurred to her that it would be best to go to Charleston. But a moment's reflection satisfied her that she would be more likely to be sought after there than farther south. Dr. Fox would hardly think of following her to Georgia.
"That plan will suit me, Nancy," she said, after a short pause. "I don't much care where I go, as long as I increase the distance between me and that horrible mad-house."
"Will Clopatry go with you?" asked Nancy, indicating the queen with a jerk of her finger.