"He shan't catch us, dear," Elsie said, reassuringly, though she was not feeling very easy about it herself. It was only now that she began really to feel what a terrible time they had lived through in those last two days, and what unknown horrors they had escaped from. Duncan's words filled her with fear. To be overtaken and carried back to that dreadful woman seemed the worst thing that could befall them.
"I wonder where this road leads?" Elsie said, trying to make Duncan think of something else. "There's no one to ask."
"P'raps they might be like the man if you asked," Duncan said fearfully; "and you look so ragged in that dirty old gown, Elsie. They will think we are beggars."
Elsie had been thinking the same thing herself, though she was not going to tell poor Duncan—already frightened out of his senses—how uncomfortable she really felt. Alone in a country road, which led they did not know where, without a penny to buy food or, so far as they could see, a house from which they could ask some, what was to become of them?
"Elsie?" Duncan said presently, looking at her very wistfully.
"Yes, Duncan?"
"You won't be angry, will you?"
"No, I won't be angry," Elsie said impatiently. "What is it?"
"I feel so tired. Couldn't we go home?"
"Do you think you could find the way back?" Elsie asked.