Thus assured, Mr. Arnold led the lady to a chair beneath the pulpit, and went with Mr. Cooper.
All this time Gerty had been unnoticed, and had remained very quiet on the upper stair, secured from sight by the pulpit. Hardly had the doors closed, however, with a loud bang, when the child got up, and began to descend the stairs. The moment she moved, the lady, whose seat was very near, started, and exclaimed, "Who's that?"
Gerty stood still, and made no reply. Strange the lady did not look up, though she must have perceived that the movement was above her head. There was a moment's pause, and then Gerty began again to run down the stairs. The lady sprang up, and, stretching out her hand, said, "Who is it?"
"Me," said Gerty, looking up in the lady's face; "it's only me."
"Will you stop and speak to me?" said the lady.
Gerty not only stopped, but came close up to Emily's chair, irresistibly attracted by the sweetest voice she had ever heard. The lady placed her hand on Gerty's head, and said, "Who are you?"
"Gerty."
"Gerty who?"
"Nothing else but Gerty."
"Have you forgotten your other name?"