a horsehair descending in the direction of his big horn spectacles,
and quietly moving across to frustrate the attempt, she unearthed
Peregrine on a chair angling from behind the window curtain.

She did not speak, but fixed her calm eyes on him with a look of
sad, grave disappointment as she wound up the line. In a few
seconds the boy had thrown himself at her feet, rolling as if in
pain, and sobbing out, "'Tis all of no use! Let me alone."

Nevertheless he obeyed the hushing gesture of her hand, and held his
breath, as she led him out to the garden-seat, where they had spent
so many happy quiet hours. Then he flung himself down and repeated
his exclamation, half piteous, half defiant. "Leave me alone!
Leave me alone! It has me! It is all of no use."

"What has you, my poor child?"

"The evil spirit. You will have it that I'm not one of--one of
them--so it must be as my father says, that I am possessed--the evil
spirit. I was at peace with you--so happy--happier than ever I was
before--and now--those boys. It has me again--I could not help it--
I've even hurt her--Mistress Anne. Let me alone--send me home--to
be scorned, and shunned, and brow-beaten--and as bad as ever--then
at least she will be safe from me."

All this came out between sobs such that Mrs. Woodford could not
attempt to speak, but she kept her hand on him, and at last she
said, when he could hear her: "Every one of us has to fight with an
evil spirit, and when we are not on our guard he is but too apt to
take advantage of us."