know what her nephew had seen if she had to thread all the dark mazes
again and look at it by herself.

"Ma Padgett never 'lows me to act scared," she reminded him. "I
always have to go up to what I'm 'fraid of."

"You won't go up to this."

"Maybe I will. Tisn't so far back to that wagon."

"I wouldn't stir it up for considerable," said Robert.

"Was it a lion or a bear? Was it goin' to eat anything? Is that what
made the little child cry?"

"The little child hollered 'cause 'twas afraid of it. I was glad you
didn't look in at the end of the wagon with me."

Aunt Corinne edged some inches nearer her protector.

"How could you see what was in a dark wagon?"

"There was a candle lighted inside. Aunt Krin, there was a little
pretty girl in that wagon that I do believe the folks stole!"

This was like a story. The luxury of a real stolen child had never
before come in aunt Corinne's way.

"Why, Bobaday?" she inquired affectionately.