"I cannot imagine," said the doctor; then catching sight of Walter's face, which told of suppressed mirthfulness, a sudden recollection came to him; and he added, "Ah, I think I understand it," turned, and went back into the parlor.
"Who was it?" asked several voices.
"Nobody, apparently," answered the doctor with a smile; and Percy added, "She had strangely disappeared."
"Well," said a rough voice, seemingly coming from the hall, "if I was a doctor, and a poor woman got badly stung right here in my own house, d'ye think I wouldn't do something fur her?"
"Bring her in here, and I will do what I can for her," replied the doctor.
"Hello here, Bet!" called the voice; "I say, go right along in thar and see what he'll do fur ye."
"What'll he do? p'raps hurt me worse than the bee has?" snarled a sharp, disagreeable voice. "I guess I won't resk it."
"All right then, Bet, let's go," said the other voice; "'taint our way to stay long where we git nothin' but stings."
A sound as of shuffling footsteps followed, then all was still.
Some of the children and young people ran to the door and windows, hoping to catch sight of the strange couple, but were surprised that they could see nothing of them.