much farther? How long will it be before we get to Mrs. Worrett's,
Alexander?"

"'Most there, miss," replied Alexander, laconically.

Elsie put her head out of the carriage, and looked eagerly round.
Where was the delightful farm? She saw a big, pumpkin-colored house
by the roadside, a little farther on; but surely that couldn't be
it. Yes: Alexander drew up at the gate, and jumped down to lift.
them out. It really was! The surprise quite took away her breath.

She looked about. There were the woods, to be sure, but half a mile
away across the fields. Near the house, there were no trees at all;
only some lilac bushes at one side; there was no green grass either.
A gravel path took up the whole of the narrow front yard; and, what
with the blazing color of the paint and the wide-awake look of the
blindless windows, the house had somehow the air of standing on
tip-toe and staring hard at something,--the dust in the road,
perhaps; for there seemed to be nothing to stare at.

Elsie's heart sank indescribably, as she and John got very slowly out
of the carryall, and Alexander, putting his arm over the fence, rapped
loudly at the front door. It was some minutes before the rap was
answered. Then a heavy step was heard creaking through the hall, and
somebody began fumbling at an obstinate bolt, which would not move.
Next, a voice which they recognized as Mrs. Worrett's called:
"Isaphiny, Isaphiny, come and see if you can open this door."

"How funny!" whispered Johnnie, beginning to giggle.