Page 217 (1/2)

The cottage, as I have said, was entirely hidden froe: ash, alder, and brah, with here

and there a great tree; but, upon one side, there was a little

grassy glade, or clearing rather, some ten yards square, and it

was towards this that my eyes were directed as I reseated myself

upon the settle beside the door, and waited the co of the

unknown

Though the shadoere too deep for my eyes to serve me, yet I

could follow the newcomer's approach quite easily by the sound he

ious

rustling of leaves Whoever it was ht, and clad, probably, in a long, trailing garment

All at once I kneas observed, for the sounds ceased, and I

heard nothing save the distant bark of a dog and the ripple of

the brook near by

I remained there for, maybe, a full minute, very still, only --and

that minute was an hour

"You won't be wantin' ever a broom, now?"

The relief was so sudden and intense that I had ht

"You won't be wantin' ever a brooain