of course, referred to the shopkeepers.

"I didn't thank Miss Pennington; I didn't say one word, so far as I
remember," exclaimed Miss Wilbur, "and she was certainly kind. I shall
have to go over and express my appreciation. Judging from her
appearance she is a charming young woman."

CHAPTER THIRTEENTH

AFTERWARD

The newly built fire crackled and blazed merrily, putting to rout what
little daylight sifted through the slats of the window-shutters. How
pleasant to lie there safe and warm! Charlotte hugged her pillow in
thankfulness.

Far from being the heroine she had imagined herself, she realized she
was only a foolish little girl. For once she felt the truth of that
objectionable phrase. The experience of the night before had subdued
her. She went all over it as she lay there, waiting for the rising
bell.

On her way to the station the persistent stare of a man who sat
opposite in the street-car made her uneasy; and when at the station,
after she had bought her ticket, he again appeared and attempted to
talk to her, even following her when she changed her seat, her
uneasiness became alarm.

The dreadful loneliness of that great station, with its hurrying
crowds, she would not soon forget. If it had been day, Charlotte was
sure she would have been braver. In her despair Miss Carpenter came to
her rescue. She recalled vividly how the young lady swept down upon
her tormentor, with blazing eyes, demanding imperiously what he meant
by annoying a little girl; and then Charlotte, clinging to the
friendly hand held out to her, had allowed herself to be led meekly
away. It was all over in a moment, and in a quiet corner out of the
crowd she was replying brokenly to the questions of her rescuer.

Why was it that under the serious gaze of those dark eyes all her
self-confidence and determination had oozed away? Miss Carpenter's
manner was kind, but her decision had been prompt and final. It seemed
to Charlotte no one could have resisted her.

"My child," she said, still holding Charlotte's hand, "you cannot take
such a journey alone. I cannot let you. Come home with me, where we
can talk it over. We'll find some way out of the trouble." And she
added: "You live on the corner of Pleasant Street and the Terrace,
don't you? I think I have seen you there. I am Miss Carpenter of the
shop."

In a sort of bewilderment Charlotte had submitted, and escorted by
Miss Carpenter and the elderly maid she rode back to t