again she demanded, "Do you know what the truth is? I'll tell you.
It's this: When you get hungry and come back home, standing with one
foot on top of the other outside my door, _you'll find the door shut_!"

There was an impressive silence for a moment, and then the Masked Lady
remarked tranquilly, "If he finds the truth, no door will ever be
closed to him again."

Then Tom, turning to Everychild, said--"Come, we'll go."

They left the house together. The little dog bounded after them. The
door swung to.

The old lady, clearly alarmed, went to the door as if she would open it
and cry out. But pride prevented her from doing so. She stood with
one hand on the wall, listening. And at last she did open the door;
but not a living creature was in sight.




CHAPTER XIV

MR. LITERAL'S WARNING

Everychild was in a high state of excitement as he and Tom made their
way back to where the other members of the band awaited them.

He had scarcely dared to hope that Tom would be able to get away from
his mother so easily. She had seemed really terrible. But now there