The boy looked at Miss Alcott, and she put her finger to her mouth, indicating silence.

He was nonplussed.
Edward looked toward Emerson standing in that window, and wondered what it all meant.

Presently Emerson left the window and, crossing the room, came to his desk, bowing to the boy as he passed, and seated himself, not speaking a word and ignoring the presence of the two persons in the room.
Suddenly the boy heard Miss Alcott say: "Have you read this new book by Ruskin yet ?" Slowly the great master of thought lifted his eyes from his desk, turned toward the speaker, rose with stately courtesy from his chair, and, bowing to Miss Alcott, said with great deliberation: "Did you speak to me, madam ?" The boy was dumfounded! Louisa Alcott, his Louisa! And he did not know her! Suddenly the whole sad truth flashed upon the boy.

Tears sprang into Miss Alcott's eyes, and she walked to the other side of the room.

The boy did not know what to say or do, so he sat silent.