She kept out of the way of everybody and went straight up to the house.

'Twas dark and shut up, but the back door key was under the mat, as usual, so she got in all right.

The plants hadn't been watered for two days, at least; the clock had stopped; the cat's saucer was licked dry as a contribution box, and the critter itself was underfoot every second, whoopin' for somethin' to eat.

The whole thing pretty nigh broke Hannah's heart, but she wa'n't the kind to give up while there was a shot in the locker.
"She went to the closet and found that Kenelm's Sunday hat and coat was gone.

Then she locked the back door again and cut acrost the lots down to Abbie's.