"
"There were reasons for that," said Mrs. Crump, "she wanted to keep
secret her destination."
"I don't know what it was," said William; "but any how, I don't like
her looks."
The family felt a little relieved by this information; and, since
Ida had gone so far, it did not seem strange that she should have
outstayed her time.
CHAPTER XII.
HOW IDA FARED.
WE left Ida confined in a dark closet, with Peg standing guard over
her.
After an hour she was released.
"Well," said Peg, grimly, "how do you feel now?"
"I want to go home," sobbed the child.
"You are at home," said the woman. This is going to be your home
now."
"Shall I never see father and mother and Jack, again?"
"Why," answered Peg, "that depends on how you behave yourself."
"Oh, if you will only let me go," said Ida, gathering hope from this
remark, "I'll do anything you say."
"Do you mean this, or do you only say it for the sake of getting
away?"
"Oh, I mean just what I say. Dear, good Mrs. Hardwick, just tell me
what I am to do, and I will obey you cheerfully."
"Very well," said Peg, "only you needn't try to get anything out of
me by calling me dear, good Mrs. Hardwick. In the first place, you
don't care a cent about me. In the second place, I am not good; and
finally, my name isn't Mrs. Hardwick, except in New York.
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