“Yes, I know that, miss,” went on the girl, “but Mary says he was outside on the step when she came down at five. He’s a poor-looking little boy, but he doesn’t want anything to eat. He says he must speak to you.”
Without the slightest idea who her caller might be, Cora hurried into a robe and went down.
“He’s on the side porch, Miss Cora,” said the maid.
Cora went out through the opened French window.
“Why, Andy!” she exclaimed, for her early visitor was none other than the boy from the strawberry patch. “Whatever brought you into Chelton so early?”
“It’s about the girls,” he said under his breath, looking around suspiciously. “And it’s about that old Mrs. Blazes!”
“No one will hear you,” Cora assured him, taking a seat by his side. “What about the girls, and Miss Schenk?”
“Yes, and I was afraid I would not get here in time. She’s comin’ in here—to scare you. I heard her tell Mrs. Ramsy so.”
“And you hurried in to warn me!” cried Cora, much amused at the lad’s simplicity. “I am sure I am very, very much obliged. But tell me, what did she say?”
Andy shifted about uneasily. Evidently the information he had was not of the nature pleasant to impart.