Every time she passed the house she loitered as long as she dared, in hope of getting a glimpse of him.
"I wonder where Laddie is," she ventured, once, as her father was filling a basket for her to carry.
"The dogs have gone to a silly show," grunted Ruloff, piling the basket.

"The superintendent told me, yesterday.

To waste a whole day with dogs! Pouf! No wonder the world is poor! Here, the basket is full.
Jump!" Sonya picked up the heavy load--twice as big as usual were the baskets given her to carry, now that the interfering Master and the superintendent were not here to forbid--and started laboriously for the house.
Her back ached with weariness.

Yet, in the absence of her protectors, she dared not complain or even to allow herself the luxury of walking slowly.

So, up the hill, she toiled; at top speed.