Part 28 (1/2)
”My dear,” she said, ”are you fond of candy?”
”Ever so much,” said Emma.
”Suppose we go to a candy store and get some?”
”But I don't want to leave Ben,” said the little girl.
”Oh, we will be back before he returns,” said the lady. ”Will you come?”
”If you are certain sure you will be back in time.”
”Oh, yes, my dear.”
The lady's manner was so kind that Emma felt entire confidence in her promise.
”Yes, I will go.”
They walked down the hill in a different direction from that which they had come up. This brought them to a street on which were some shops. The lady entered one, leading Emma by the hand.
”Give us one half-pound of a.s.sorted candy,” she said.
The girl behind the counter weighed out the candy and handed it to her.
They left the shop.
”Now are we going back to Ben?” asked Emma.
”I have sent word to him to come to my house and take supper, my dear child. Come with me, and you will see him soon.”
How should Emma know that this was not true? She was a little girl, with no experience of the world, accustomed to put confidence in those she met, and the lady was very kind in her manner.
”Is your home far off?” she asked.
”No, it is quite near.”
This proved to be true.
The lady turned up a street lined with neat dwellings and rang the bell.
A servant answered the bell.
”Is it you, mum?” she said.
”Yes, Jane.”
Jan looked inquiringly at the little girl, and was on the point of asking who she was; but she knew her mistress was peculiar and said nothing.
”This little girl will stay to tea,” said the lady. ”Put on an extra plate.”
”Yes, ma'am.”