She did not run, she was trembling too much for that, she dared not
whistle for Dick, for that would have called attention to them both.
She could only walk away, and trust to his following her; but even as
she went she heard a dreaded voice shout out excitedly, "Why there's
our Dick! Dick, Dick, come here"--but at the sound of it Dick felt
the old fear in his heart leap to life, and with his old instinct to
fly from his master, he dashed along the street as swiftly as his
long legs could carry him, and was very quickly out of sight.
So swiftly did he race that he shot past Huldah without recognising
her, and her heart beat faster with thankfulness, for the further
away he got the better, and it was better for both of them that they
should not be seen together.
How she got over those four long miles home Huldah never knew.
Her head swam, her legs trembled, indeed, her whole body shook with
nervous dread, so that, in spite of her anxiety to get home quickly,
she had to stand still many times, to quiet the beating of her heart,
and get breath to go on again.
Half a mile out of the town she found Dick, running wildly backwards
and forwards looking for her, and troubled and ashamed at having lost
her. She wished, though, that he had gone all the way home, for if
they were followed and seen together she would be recognised
instantly, and she would have no power of escape such as Dick had
had.
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