She swung a satchel in her left hand, and at sight of the stranger paused with her unoccupied forefinger in mouth.
Mr.Fogo advanced straight up to her, stooped with his hands on his knees, and peered into her face.

This behaviour, though necessitated by his shortness of sight, worked the most paralysing effect on the child.
"Little girl, can you tell me the way to Kit's House ?" There was no answer.

Mr.Fogo peered more closely.
"Little girl, can you tell me the way to Kit's House ?" Still there was no answer.
"Little girl--" "_Cl'k--whir-r-r-r-roo-oo _!" The effect of the alarum was instantaneous.
"Boo-hoo!" yelled the little girl, and broke into a paroxysm of weeping.
"Little girl--" "Boo-hoo! Take me home.

I want mammy!" [Illustration: "Boo-hoo! I want mammy!"] "Dear me," cried Mr.Fogo wildly, "this is the most appalling situation in which I have ever been placed." He thought of running away, but his humanity forbade it.

At length the alarum ran down; but the child continued to scream-- "I want mammy! Take me home!" "Hush! hush! She shall go to mammy--ickle tootsey shall go to mammy.
Did-ums want-ums mammy ?" shouted Mr.Fogo, with an idiotic effort to soothe.
But it was useless.