Ida looked, inquiringly, at Mrs. Hardwick.

"You might as well take off your things," said the latter, grimly.
"We ain't going any farther to-day."

"And where's the lady you said you were going to see?" asked the
child, bewildered.

"The one that was interested in you?"

"Yes."

"Well, I'm the one."

"You!"

"Yes."

"I don't want to stay here," said Ida, becoming frightened.

"Well, what are you going to do about it?" asked the woman,
mockingly.

"Will you take me back early to-morrow?"

"No, I don't intend to take you back at all," said the nurse,
coolly.

Ida seemed stupefied with astonishment and terror at first. Then,
actuated by a sudden impulse, she ran to the door, and had got it