"I say!" and this time he really did say, "Where are the rest of
them?"
"At home, aren't they?"
"What, didn't they bring you in?"
"Oh no!"
"Come, don't make a tomfoolery of it; that's enough. I shall have
all the fellows at me for your coming up in that way, you know. Why
couldn't you shake hands like anyone else?"
"O Charlie, I couldn't help it! Please let us go home!"
"Do you mean that you aren't come from there?"
"No," said Kate, half ashamed, but far more exultant, and hanging
down her head; "I came from London--I came by myself. My aunt wanted
me to tell a story, and--and I have run away. O Charlie! take me
home!" and with a fresh access of alarm, she again threw her arms
round him, as if to gain his protection from some enemy.
"Oh, I say!" again he cried, looking up the empty street and down
again, partly for the enemy, partly to avoid eyes; but he only beheld
three dirty children and an old woman, so he did not throw her off
roughly. "Ran away!" and he gave a great whistle.
"Yes, yes. My aunt shut me up because I would not tell a story,"
said Kate, really believing it herself. "Oh, let us get home,
Charlie, do."
"Very well, if you won't throttle a man; and let me get Tony in
here," he added, going on a little way towards a small inn stable-
yard.
"Oh, don't go," cried Kate, who, once more protected, could not bear
to be left alone a moment; but Charlie plunged into the yard, and
came back not only with the pony, but with a plaid, and presently
managed to mount Kate upon the saddle, throwing the plaid round her
so as to hide the short garments and long scarlet stockings, that
were not adapted for riding, all with a boy's rough and tender care
for the propriety of his sister's appearance.
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