Fairy Carrie shook her head.
“Is your ma in there?”
Fairy Carrie again shook her head, and her face creased as if she were now determined in this open air and childish company to cry and be relieved.
“Can't you talk?” whispered aunt Corinne.
“No,” said the child.
“Yes, you can, too! Did the show folks steal you?”
Fairy Carrie's eyes widened. Tears gathered and dropped slowly down her cheeks.
Aunt Corinne seized her hand. “Why, Bobaday, Padgett! You just feel how cold her fingers are!”
Robert did so, and shook his head to indicate that he found even her fingers in a pitiable condition.
“You come with us to Ma Padgett,” exhorted aunt Corinne in an excited whisper. “I wouldn't stay where that pig-man is for the world.”