“But oh, dear!” said the Rag-Bone Man, pointing at Merrimeg. “I can’t leave her here. She’d run away.”
“Then we’d better take her with us, brother Nibby,” said Malkin. “What do you say?”
“Just what I was thinking,” said Nibby. “You took the words out of my mouth.”
“All right,” said the Rag-Bone Man. “When I’ve gotten the handkerchief I’ll bring her back again. Now then,” said he to Merrimeg, picking up his bag, “jump into the sack. Quick. Will you, or won’t you?”
“No, no!” said Merrimeg. “I don’t like the sack. I won’t!”
“Not very polite to-day, brother Nibby,” said Malkin. “I think she ought to do what the gentleman says.”
“You’re right, brother, you’re always right,” said Nibby.
“Well,” said Merrimeg, “if you say I ought to do it, I will. But I don’t want to.”
She stepped into the bag, and at that moment a voice sounded from the back door. “No, no! Don’t go away!”
