"A doctor!" was all her thought. She remembered hearing Caryl say he
lived in a big brown house that had lots of flowers in the windows. But
where upon the face of the earth the house was situated, Viny knew no
more than a bird. However, she must get him, so she dashed blindly on,
turning the first corner to run headlong into the arms of a portly old
lady who was placidly enjoying the fresh air and sunshine at the same
time that she displayed her rich street attire.
"Oh, my goodness!" cried the old lady, startled out of all fine speeches
by the collision, and jumping in fright to the extreme edge of the
curbstone. Then seeing the cause, she cried in anger, "You miserable,
dirty little thing you, you ve nearly killed me!"
At the word "killed," Viny began to dance in terror on the sidewalk. "I
know it," she cried, "oh, dear, I know it! she's dead, an' grandma 'll
beat me."
"And if you don't know any better," cried the old lady, vainly trying to
settle her gray puffs as they were before, "than to run into people in
this way, I'll have you arrested, I will!"
At this Viny was completely overcome. Her guilty conscience pictured all
sorts of punishments; worse, far worse, than "grandma's" judgments, and,
falling on her knees, she grasped the old lady's black satin gown and
implored for mercy.
The old lady, now her attention was drawn off from her own annoyance,
settled her eyes on the brooch half concealed by a fold of the little
lace spenser.
"You wicked, bad child!" she exclaimed, seizing her arm and pouncing one
stiffly gloved hand on the sparkling brooch; "you've stolen that! It's
bad enough to be run into by a dirty little thing fresh from Bedlam,
without being wicked into the bargain. That's TOO much!"
The little black figure being too wretched to hear this tirade, could
only mumble and wail and wriggle closer and closer into the folds of the
rich gown.
"Get out of my dress!" cried the old lady excitedly. "Here, I'll
call the police; if you don't let go of me this instant! Stop, I say!
Po-o-lice!"
Viny gave one violent jerk that brought her up to her feet, and with
eyes distended in terror, started in wild despair across the street.
A pair of handsome bays were coming in their best step down from the
Square, drawing a carriage full of people who seemed in the very best of
spirits.
"WHOA-A!" A click, a rapid pull-up with all Thomas's best strength, and
the horses fell back on their haunches just in time for the little lithe
figure to dart under their pawing hoofs and be saved! Everybody leaned
out of the carriage for a glimpse of the child.
"Why--why"--A young girl's face paled, while the gray eyes flashed, and
with one spring she was out and rushing after the small flying figure
who in her fright had turned to flee the other way.
"Look out, Caryl!" called the others in the carriage after her.
"Oh, she'll be killed," moaned a little girl leaning out as far as she
dared over the wheels.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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