"Mother," said Lulu, "when Di went away just now, was she carrying a satchel?"
"Didn't I just tell you?" Mrs. Bett demanded, aggrieved. "I said I didn't think Inie—"
"Mother! Which way did she go?"
Monona pointed with her spoon. "She went that way," she said. "I seen her."
Lulu looked at the clock. For Monona had pointed toward the railway station. The twelve-thirty train, which every one took to the city for shopping, would be just about leaving.
"Monona," said Lulu, "don't you go out of the yard while I'm gone. Mother, you keep her—"
Lulu ran from the house and up the street. She was in her blue cotton dress, her old shoes, she was hatless and without money. When she was still two or three blocks from the station, she heard the twelve-thirty "pulling out."
She ran badly, her ankles in their low, loose shoes continually turning, her arms held taut at her sides. So she came down the platform, and to the ticket window. The contained ticket man, wonted to lost trains and perturbed faces, yet actually ceased counting when he saw her:
"Lenny! Did Di Deacon take that train?"
"Sure she did," said Lenny.