"But what made you run so? You ran as though you were frightened."
She gave him a startled look and half turned away. She did not answer.
"What frightened you? Had you seen anything,--a row, or a fight of any sort?"
She shook her head. "I was frightened," she said, "but it isn't worth talking about. Besides, it isn't pleasant. I don't want to talk about it."
"But I have a very special reason for asking, Kittie. It isn't just curiosity."
"Well, a horrid man frightened me. I suppose he was drunk. But if Miss Elliott knew about that--!"
"How did he frighten you?"
"He jumped out at me. It's a kind of dark place on Sherman Street, and I was scurrying along and I didn't see him at all until I was right up to him, and then as I hurried by he suddenly jumped out and caught my arm."
"Did you scream?"
"I shrieked and struck at him--"