t to restrain the angry pug now escaping from her arms. Then she
saw Montgomery's face at the opening above the bay, brilliantly
illuminated by the lantern held close to his head as he peered inwards
preparatory to a leap. With a scream half of relief, half of dread lest
she should again be deserted, she ran toward the window and held her
arms up.

The light disappeared, but before she had time for a fresh fear, she
felt her hands clasped by Montgomery's sturdy ones, and she was bidden:

"Give a s-s-sp-spring--an' I'll haul you!"

She tried once, twice, and again, but there was no "spring" left in the
usually active limbs, and she sank back to the bay, sobbing:

"Oh, I can't! I can't! I've tried and tried and tried! But I shall never
get out. Never, never, never." And it was proof of the suffering she had
undergone that there was no indignation left against the boy who had
caused it, but only a hopeless acceptance of a terrible position.

This was too much for Monty. He would far rather have had her rail at
him than sob so heart-brokenly. He began to sob himself in sympathy, and
called back:

"D-d-don't! Qu-qu-quit it! See. Look up. I'll h-h-hang the lantern on
the sill. I d-d-dassent take it down there, might s-s-set fire to the
hay. I'm all r-r-right--I mean you're all r-r-right. Get out the way.
I'm c-c-c-comin'!"

In an instant he had leaped down beside her and put his arm around her
quivering shoulders. In all his life he had never been so sorry for
anybody or anything as now for her and for his own neglectful
selfishness, which had brought her to such a pass. Yet, heedless Monty
had had many causes for regret during his previous career!

"I thought I should die! Oh, it was so awful! I thought I should
certainly die here alone in this place. The wind would almost tear the
roof off, and Punchy howled--he thought he was dying, too, maybe. But it
was he kept me from it--quite. I never loved him so in all my life!
Can--is there a way--you've got in, too, but is there a way out? I was
hungry, I thought I would starve. Then I forgot that--listening. And the
lightning--I was sure it had struck again and again. I waited to see the
hay blaze up. Lightning always does strike barns, doesn't it?"

With a philosophy beyond his years Montgomery changed the subject.

"I shall have to boost you, i-i-if you c-c-can't climb without. P-p-put
your feet right th-th-there--I'm b-bo-boo-boostin' my best! Catch hold
the s-sill!