I glided downstairs like a little ghost. I ran swiftly across the hall, I opened the front door--it was quite easy to open, for the door was a very small one--and then I let myself out. The next minute I was running down the street, running as fast as ever I could, and as far as possible from Hill View House. I had a distinct object in my mind. I did not mean to run away in the ordinary sense; my one sole desire was to go to the railway station to meet the train which would bring Anastasia. Father had said with his own lips that she would come by the next train. Of course, I had no idea where the railway station was. I felt that I must run as quickly as possible, for Jonas might see me, and although he was quite a kind boy, I did not want him to see me then. I hoped the chemist--whoever the chemist was--would keep him some time, and that the feverish person--whoever the feverish person was--would be kept waiting for whatever Jonas was fetching for that person. I did not meet Jonas, and I ran a long way. Presently I came bang up against a stout, red-faced woman, who said: "Look out where you are going, little 'un." I paused and looked into her face. "Have I hurt you?" I asked. The woman burst out laughing. "My word!" she answered. "As if a mite like you would hurt _me_. Is it likely? And who are you, and where are you going?" "I am going to the railway station to meet Anastasia," I said. Then I added, as a quick thought flashed through my mind, "Anastasia is my nurse, and she's coming by the next train. I will give you some money if you will take me to the railway station to meet her." "How much money will you give me?" asked the red-faced woman. "I will give you a whole half-crown," I said. "Please, please take me--it is so dreadfully important, for the next train may come in, and Anastasia may not know where to go to." "Well, to be sure," said the woman, looking me all over from top to toe; "I don't seem to know you, little miss, but there's no harm in me taking you as far as the station, and the next train will be due in a very few minutes, so we'll have to go as fast as possible." "I don't mind running, if you don't mind running too," I answered. "I can't run," said the woman; "I'm too big." "Well," I said, "perhaps the best thing of all would be for you to show me how to get to the railway station. If you do that, I can run very fast indeed, and you shall have your half-crown."