"The old man laughed in a cracked, wheezing way.
"Good fellow!" said he, encouragingly. "try it again! Won't you try
it again? Better luck next time."
Jack throw himself sullenly into a chair.
"Where is the woman that brought me here?" he asked.
"Peg? Oh, she couldn't stay. She had important business to transact,
my young friend, and so she has gone; but don't feel anxious. She
commended you to our particular attention, and you will be just as
well treated as if she were here."
This assurance was not very well calculated to comfort Jack.
"How long are you going to keep me cooped up here?" he asked,
desperately, wishing to learn the worst at once.
"Really, my young friend, I couldn't say. We are very hospitable,
very. We always like to have our friends with us as long as
possible."
Jack groaned internally at the prospect before him.
"One question more," he said, "will you tell me if my sister Ida is
in this house?"
"Your sister Ida!" repeated the old man, surprised in his turn.
"Yes," said Jack; believing, his astonishment feigned. "You needn't
pretend that you don't know anything about her. I know that she is
in your hands."
"Then if you know so much," said the other, shrugging his shoulders,
"there is no need of asking."
Jack was about to press the question, but the old man, anticipating
him, pointed to a plate of food which he pushed in upon a shelf,
just in front of the sliding door, and said: "Here's some supper for
you.
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