"Let go!" she gasped. "Let me go!"
"It's all right," he repeated. "I won't hurt you. Don't be afraid."
"But you are hurting me! Let go!"
Slowly his fingers relaxed, though he did not release her. "I didn't mean to knock you down like that. I lost my balance and fell against you. I'm very tired and hungry. Have you any food?"
She shook her head.
"Just a cracker or a piece of chocolate? School girls always have something to eat in their pockets."
She shook her head again. "I haven't anything. What are you doing here?"
"I'm the—uh—I'm the new janitor. I'm going to keep the furnace going so you'll be warm enough all winter. I live—uh—I live up the mountain and I didn't have a chance to eat breakfast this morning because I overslept. Are you sure you haven't even a crust of bread?"
"I haven't anything. Won't the cook give you something in the kitchen?"
"She's in a bad mood this morning. What are you doing out here all alone? Shouldn't you be in the school?"