Dotty shut her lips together, and suffered in silence. But when the afternoon was half spent, it suddenly occurred to her that if she did not go home she should die. Soldiers had died of homesickness, for she had heard her father say so. She had not been able to swallow a mouthful of dinner, and that fact was of itself rather alarming. "Perhaps I'm going to have the _typo_. Any way, my head aches. Besides, my papa didn't say I _mustn't_ go home. He said I must finish my visit, and I _have_. O, I've finished _that_ all up, ever and ever and ever so long ago." She and Mandoline went out again to "breathe," Mrs. Rosenberg giving her daughter a warning glance from the doorway, which meant, "Be watchful, Mandy!" for the look of fixed despair on the little prisoner's face gave the woman some anxiety lest she should try to escape. The unhappy child walked on in silence, twisting a lock of her front hair, and looking up at the sky. A few soft snow-flakes were dropping out of the clouds. Every flake seemed to fall on her heart. Winter was coming. It was a gray, miserable world, and she was left out in the cold. She remembered she had been happy once, but that was ages ago. It wasn't likely she should ever smile again; and as for laughter, she knew that was over with her forever. Susy and Prudy were at home, making book-marks and cologne mats; _they_ could smile, for they hadn't run away. "I shouldn't think my mamma'd care if I went in at the back door," thought Dotty, meekly. "If she locks me out, I can lie down on the steps and freeze." But the question was, how to get away from Mandoline, who had her in charge like a sharp-eyed sheriff. "That's the street I turn to go to my house--isn't it, Lina?" asked she, quickly. "I shan't tell you, Dotty Dimple. Why do you ask?" "'Cause I'm going home. I'm sick. Good by." "But you musn't go a step, Dotty Dimple." "Yes, I shall; you're not my mamma, Lina Rosenberg; you mustn't tell me what to do." "Well, I'm going everywhere you go, Dotty, but I shan't say whether it's the way to your house, or the way to Boston; and _you_ don't know." Dotty was not to be so easily baffled. "I don't know myself, Lina Rosenberg, but if you're so mean as not to tell, I can ask somebody else that _will_ tell--don't you see?" This was a difficulty which Lina had not provided for. She was very sorry Dotty had come out "to breathe." Very soon they overtook a lady, who pointed out the right street to Dotty; and it was in an opposite direction from the one she was taking. "Now I've found out, Miss Rosenberg, and you can't help yourself." "Well, I shall go with you, Dotty, just the same. I shall go right up to your house, and tell your mother you've run away _again_" It was very disagreeable to Miss Dimple to be pursued in this way; but she put on an air of defiance. "I shouldn't think you'd want to go where you wasn't wanted, Miss Rosenberg." Lina had never intended to do such a thing; she had not courage enough.