"No, I guess he's only after me," answered Tom. "He won't touch you or Bunny."
"Is it a Gypsy man?" Bunny wanted to know.
"No, he isn't a Gypsy," replied Tom. "He's just a cross, bad man; and I don't want him to see me. Keep your heads down."
Bunny and Sue did so. Like frightened rabbits they crouched among the bushes. Tom kept hold of their hands, and though the children knew that Tom was afraid, for he had said so, still Bunny and Sue were not very much frightened, as long as the man was not a Gypsy and did not want them.
"There! He's gone past!" exclaimed Tom, as he stood up to look over the tops of the bushes. "He's gone, and we can come out. He didn't see us—he won't get me this time."
"But who was he?" Bunny wanted to know. Tom, however, did not seem to hear him. Still holding Bunny and Sue by the hand, Tom led them back to the path. Bunny picked up the pail of milk.
"I'll carry it for you," Tom said. "We've got to hurry back to camp."
"Why?" asked Sue. "I can't hurry very much, for my legs hurt."
"I'll carry you," said Tom, "if Bunny will take the milk pail."
"Yes, I'll do that," said the little boy.