"I was just going to hide in your barn," said the thief, "when I met
you. O let me in there, now! don't betray me!"

Great tears were rolling down his bearded cheeks. Ann began to waver.
"They might look in the barn," said she hesitatingly.

The man followed up his advantages. "Then hide me in the house," said
he. "I have a daughter at home, about your age. She's waiting for me,
and it's long she'll wait, and sad news she'll get at the end of the
waiting, if you don't help me. She hasn't any mother, she's a little
tender thing--it'll kill her!" He groaned as he said it.

The voices came nearer. Ann hesitated no longer. "Come," said she,
"quick!"

Then she fled into the house, the man following. Inside, she bolted
the door, and made her unwelcome guest take off his boots in the
kitchen, and follow her softly up stairs with them in his hand.

Ann's terror, leading him up, almost overwhelmed her. What if anybody
should wake! Nabby slept near the head of the stairs. Luckily, she
was a little deaf, and Ann counted on that.

She conducted the man across a little entry into a back, unfurnished
chamber, where, among other things, were stored some chests of grain.
The moon shone directly in the window of the attic-chamber, so it was
light enough to distinguish objects quite plainly.

Ann tiptoed softly from one grain-chest to another. There were three
of them. Two were quite full; the third was nearly empty.