“You acted just as if you thought that man was going to eat you and Elfie up,” said Edna to Marion; “but I suppose a person brought up in the woods is easily scared.”
“But he was such a common-looking wretch; he was enough to frighten any one,” said Katie.
“I should have supposed Mary Ann Stubbs would be the last one in the world to mind common folks. I didn’t know there was any other kind where she lived.”
“May be my neighbors were common, but they were not that kind of common,” said Marion, with some spirit; “that man looks as if he would steal.”
“I dare say he would, and do you know he looks enough like the peddler to be his brother, only, of course, he’s better dressed,” said Edna as they went into the school-room.
CHAPTER XVI.
IN MRS. ABBOTT’S ROOM.
Marion went directly to Mrs. Abbott’s room when school was over and told her of the man’s appearance. She longed to tell her, too, that the same man had seen and talked with two of the girls, but, according to the school-girls’ code of honor, it would not do to speak of their adventure without the consent of Bell and Fannie.
Mrs. Abbott was seriously uneasy. “Do you really think the man looked particularly at little Elfie?” she asked, “or did your knowledge that possession of her has been sought before make you fanciful?”
“I am sure of it,” said Marion, positively, “and—”