At half past seven I saw mother on the veranda looking for me, and I
ducked out of sight, I was by this time very hungry, although I did not
like to mention the fact, But Mr. Beecher made a suggestion, which was
this: that the Pattens were evadently going to let him starve until
he got through work, and that he would see them in perdetion before
he would be the Butt for their funny remarks when they freed him. He
therfore tried to escape out the window, but stuck fast, and finaly gave
it up.
At last he said:
"Look here, you're a curious child, but a nervy one. How'd you like to
see if you can get the Key? If you do we'll go to a hotel and have a
real meal, and we can talk about your Career."
Although quivering with Terror, I consented. How could I do otherwise,
with such a prospect? For now I began to see that all other Emotions
previously felt were as nothing to this one. I confess, without shame,
that I felt the stiring of the Tender Passion in my breast. Ah me, that
it should have died ere it had hardly lived!
"Where is the key?" I asked, in a wrapt but anxious tone.
He thought a while.
"Generaly," he said, "it hangs on a nail at the back entry. But the
chances are that Patten took it up to his room this time, for safety,
You'd know it if you saw it. It has some buttons off sombody's batheing
suit tied to it."
Here it was necessary to hide again, as father came stocking out,
calling me in an angry tone. But shortly afterwards I was on my way
to the Patten's house, on shaking Knees.
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