“I’d raise such a row they would think the train was on fire—I’d scream and scream and scream, until everybody would run to see what was the matter.” “And then what would you do?” “I would tell them all about it, and I would beg somebody to take me home to Lady, and tell them how much Ducky Darling would love them.” “And who is Ducky Darling?” “Oh, she is the sweetest thing you ever did see! My sweet, lovely, dear Ducky Darling!” “Oh, the little black monkey that yelled so when——” Hanson began, but stopped. He did not wish to admit too much to this uncanny child. But Owlet took up the thread he dropped, and said: “Yes, she was the one who screamed so when you killed me right before her eyes. I should think she might. I heard her just as I went dead and heard the cymbals.” Hanson said no more just then. He was thinking intently. He knew that they were approaching a station, where the train would stop fifteen minutes for refreshments, and where this uncanny elf would certainly give him trouble unless he could circumvent her in some way. “How far is the next place where the cars stop?” Owlet suddenly asked. “About ten miles; but, my child, if we get off there we shall have to sit up all night at the station, for there is no train coming for Goeberlin that will stop there till to-morrow morning.” “Well, I would not mind sitting up all night to get back to Lady in the morning,” said Owlet eagerly. “Yes, but by going on a little further, and stopping at the second station, we can get a down train in a few minutes afterward, and get back to Goeberlin by nine o’clock, and to Lady by ten o’clock. Wouldn’t that be better?” “How far is the second place we stop at off from here?” cautiously inquired Owlet before committing herself. “Oh, only about fifteen miles. We shall soon get there.” “And you’ll take me out and take me back home by the next train that passes?” “Yes, indeed.” “If you don’t, you know, I’ll raise a row, and then how will you feel?” “How, indeed! But I assure you, on the honor of a gentleman, if, when we reach the second station you wish to get out, I will take you out.” “There! We are coming to the first place now!” Owlet exclaimed as the steam whistle shrieked its warning. “Yes, here we are,” Hanson said as the train drew near the station. “Oh, I wish we could get out here and get home!” Owlet said. “But we could not get back from here to-night, as I told you. But a few miles off we can get out and take the down train.” “And will you—oh, will you take me back to my own Lady?” “I have sworn it.” “Are you sorry you killed me and brought me here?” “But I did not kill you, little one. I would not have hurt you for the whole world. Now look straight in my face and tell me if you don’t believe me.” “W-e-l-l,” drawled Owlet, hesitatingly, “I may believe you didn’t intend to do it, but you did do it, all the same, and what you did it for the Lord only knows—I don’t.”