“The door is closed.... We must wait a little.... Someone is sure to come and open it for us. Will you be patient and not be frightened?”

“Yes,” came an answer, as a sigh.

“Sit down as well as you can....”

The children obeyed.

“I am going to tell you a story,” said Maria.

CHAPTER XVIII

“Little sister....”

“Yes?”

“I am so hungry, sister...!”

“Hungry...!” echoed out of the depths.