"NEVER," said the little girls all together.
There was a rustling in the hay in the loft, then cautious steps, and a figure appeared at the top of the stairs.
At sight of it, Amelia shrieked and Nannie giggled, but Anne ran forward with both hands out, and with her fair little face alight with welcome.
"Why, Tommy Tolliver, Tommy Tolliver," she said, "is it really you, is it really, really you?"
CHAPTER VII
TOMMY TOLLIVER: SEAMAN
Tommy shook hands with Anne, then sat down disconsolately on the bottom step.
"Yes," he said, "it's me."
After a moment's uncomfortable silence, Anne asked, "Didn't you like it, Tommy?"
Tommy looked gloomy.