alacrity. She needed time always to get her mental bearing thoroughly
in any emergency, but action was prompt afterwards. She made a quick
motion towards the cupboard, but Madelon aroused herself suddenly.
Her senses had lapsed for a few minutes upon coming into the warm
room. "Where am I?" she asked, in a bewildered way.

"In our house," replied Mrs. Otis, promptly. "Jim just brought you
in, and it's lucky you come just as you did, for I don't know but
you'd froze to death if you'd been out much longer. Now, I'll get you
some of my brandy cordial, and that'll warm you right up. Did you
come way over from Ware Centre this dreadful night?"

"Yes, ma'am," replied Madelon, with the dazed look still in her eyes.
Mrs. Otis looked back on her way to the cupboard.

"Rode way over from Ware Centre in an open sleigh?" she said.

"No, ma'am; I walked."

Mrs. Otis stopped and looked at Madelon with a gasp, then at her son.
"She's out of her head, I'm afraid," said she.

"You didn't really walk over from Ware Centre?" questioned Jim.

"Yes, I did," replied Madelon. She stood up with sudden decision. "I
want to see you a minute," she said to Jim. Then she turned to Mrs.
Otis. "I don't need anything to take," said she. "I was only a little
dizzy for a minute when I came into this warm room. I feel better
now. I only want to ask your son a question, then I must go home--"