Her aunt's screams deadened any other noise, and her aunt's
furious attack took all the attention of the three men, so that
escape was easy.
It never entered Huldah's head that the policeman had come on her
account, and that she was safer now than ever in her life before.
She did not know there had been time to communicate with the police,
and the one thought that had filled her mind all these weary hours
was escape, and getting back to Mrs. Perry.
At first she raced wildly, but before very long her strength gave
out, her excitement died down. Her pace grew slower and slower, more
and more halting, and then finally she stopped. Thoughts of her Aunt
Emma would force themselves on her mind. If her uncle was taken to
jail, her aunt would be left alone with the horse and van.
What would she do, day and night alone? How could she manage?
Could she, Huldah, go and leave her like that!--but could she live
that dreadful life again! Every day going further and further from
Miss Rose and Mrs. Perry, and the dear little cottage, never perhaps
to see them again! Huldah sat down on a bank underneath the hedge,
to try and think the matter out. Dick came back from his happy
wanderings and sat beside her, staring at her with wistful eyes, for
he saw that she was in trouble, but why she should be was more than
he could understand,--for were they not away together, and on their
way home?
He gave a little whine, and Huldah looked up at him.
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