"Oh, you will have a very nice time, you'll see," said Aunt Zoe. "I know Mrs. Ackerman and her daughter; and I think they will make their house very pleasant for you."
Percy was to have gone down to New York with Mr. and Mrs. Hausen, but something occurred at the last moment to change their plans; and she was committed to the care of Miss Baldwin, one of the lady teachers, who was going home to New Haven for the holidays. Percy was, as usual, afraid that she should be late, and quite sure that they should miss the train at A—; for, as Round Springs is not on any railroad, they were obliged to go to a neighbouring city to take the cars for New York.
"Well, if we are late, we will wait for the next train," said Miss Baldwin.
"But, then, my aunt would not be there to meet me; and what shall I do, if she isn't?"
"You have the address, haven't you?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Oh, well, you won't have any trouble: I shall ask somebody to find us a carriage, and we can drive straight to your aunt's door."
"But suppose the driver should be a bad man, and should carry us to some lonely place, and rob us," said Percy. "I have read of such things, Miss Baldwin; haven't you?"
"And suppose the city should have been sunk by an earthquake or overflowed by a deluge?" answered Miss Baldwin, laughing. "I have heard of such things: haven't you?"
"But I am sure I have read of dreadful things being done in New York. It was only the other day—"