 Chapter twenty-three of The Friendly Five, this is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Sage Turtle, T-Y-R-T-L-E dot com. The Friendly Five by Mary C. Hungerford. Chapter twenty-four, Catching a Train. Late that night, Marion, lying awake to worry of the letter she had read, heard the heavy rumble of the circus fans on their way out of town to the distant place where their next public appearance was to be made. All her trouble ended with the welcome sound, for now there would be no meeting with the Sphinx and Alfie would not be tempted to go outside the gates, so the honest eyes closed in sleep that lasted undisturbed until the wake-up bell resounded through the halls. Candice had again succumbed to the rheumatism, so Marion dressed Elphie and took her down to breakfast and kept her by her side till the prayer-bell rang. Then Katie pounced upon her at being her week and Marion did not see her again except across the school room. At twelve o'clock recess began. At one the girls died, and at two o'clock school began again and lasted till half-past three. The hour before dinner was devoted in rainy weather to gymnastics in the large garret fitted up with various mechanical contrivances for physical culture, but in pleasant weather the girls walked, ran, or played either in the grove behind the house, the meadow on the left, or the tennis court and the croquet ground on the other side. Beyond the fence which defined these ample grounds no one was allowed to go without permission even though, as sometimes happened, grace-hoop, shuttle-cock, or ball perversely flew over the fence. On this day Mrs. Abbott called Marion to her immediately after the twelve o'clock bell rang. My dear, she said, I shall have to ask you to do me a favour. I have here a cheque for fifty dollars which I need to have cashed immediately. Will you take it with you to the bank and the village and give me the money? It is a long walk, but I know you don't mind that. To save time and ensure you're getting back in time for dinner I would send you in the Phaeton, but my pony has named himself. But I will have your dinner kept warm for you. Oh, that is nothing, said Marion. I just leave-go without any dinner, and if you don't mind, I'll go through the back gate. It's so much shorter. Oh, you may do so. The key to the padlock hangs, as usual, behind the hat-rack. The carriage rode to the village, led past the front of the house, and twisted and turned several ways, most obligingly winding by various farmhouses, but a shorter cut across the fields could be reached by going through a little gate at the end of the thick grove behind the house. The road, thus gained, led to the station, and then on to the village, but a path across the fields avoided the station and intersected the road again further on. I'd be fidgety now if the circus had stayed over to-day, for with Candace sick there'd be no one to keep Elfie from going out with the girls to get their fortunes told, thought Marion, but the circus had gone, and she went on gaily, rather pleased with the errand and thinking nothing of the two miles walked to the village. Just beyond the path that led off from the road stood a carriage with two showy young women in it talking with a young man who had apparently just met them as Marion came in sight. There was something odd about their appearance, and the girl had curiosity enough to watch them for a moment as she stood sheltered behind a screen of wild grapevine that almost hid the entrance to the path. The party were whispering, so there was nothing for her to hear, even had she been nearer, but their presence in that quiet place seemed strange. In a moment the women jumped out of the carriage, and the young man took a seat in it, saying in a raised voice, probably for the driver's benefit, well, don't stay long with your old friend, or you'll miss the 115 train, and there's no other till 6.35. We'll drive around a while and be waiting for you here. Don't look sharp and keep your wits about you. Perhaps they were going to see the servants at Mrs. Abbott's. Marion thought as she walked on, feeling troubled she hardly knew why, but if so, why not have driven around to the front gate from which the kitchen was reached by a side path, but after all, it was none of her business she told herself as she trudged along. There was not much delay at the bank, and Marion, feeling rather important and somewhat anxious about the safety of the role of bills, started for home. It would be so terrible to have anything happen to such a lot of money that she hardly knew what to do with it. Mrs. Abbott had given her an old purse to put it in, but she thought as she went along of all the stories she had heard of highway robbery. So she took it out of her purse and tucked it into the bosom of her dress. After a few minutes the dread came that some tramp might demand her money or her life and then there'd be a scuffle and in the scuffle her dress might be torn to pieces and the bills fall out. So back into her pocket they went and then into her dress waist again. Then an inspiration seized her and she divided the bundle of bills of which there were six fives and two tens and wound them around each ankle under her stockings. There they seemed quite safely concealed even if they detracted from the symmetry of the ankles and Marian walked comfortably on with the empty purse held conspicuously in her hand having a little plan in her mind of flinging it far from her in the event of an attack from highway robbers. And while they were dashing after it taking to her heels and escaping with her stocking protected treasure. There had never been a highway robbery in the neighborhood but a course of promiscuous reading had given Marian a realization that such things could happen and she went on with almost an expectation of some adventure. As she neared the point where the path struck into the carriage road she heard a sound of rapid wheels and running to the vine-covered tree and peering through the leaves she saw as she thought probable the carriage she had seen as she went upon her errand. The driver was not there but the young man who promised to wait for the women sat upon the front seat and was urging the horses to their utmost speed. One of the women was by his side the other sat upon the back seat with a child in her arms. It was Elphie how she could have recognized her in that quick glance through the leaves Marian could not have told but she was sure of it. It flashed upon her then that these people must have been employed to steal her and now they had succeeded. Where were they going? To the station? To catch the 115 Express perhaps she could get there in time to stop them. Anybody would assist her for Mrs. Abbott was well known. Fences and rough places were no obstacles to a sturdy little mountaineer so straight as a bird flies Marian tore across country leaving bits of her dress upon the strong cat briars and not stopping to pick up her hat when it dropped from her head as she half jumped half tumbled over a fence. She forgot her anxiety about the money as she flew along panting and half crying but still gasping over and over a fervent prayer. Oh Lord help me to save Elphie help me help me The platform and station buildings were on the other side of the track and as Marian flew along over a hill she caught a glimpse of the carriage whirling along the track and driving behind the building the sight made her run faster if that were possible but the chase seemed hopeless for even then the whistle sounded and the engine came in sight around the curve slowing up as it neared its stopping place but even though she thought it too late she ran on the prayer again bursting in agony from her lips and love and fear seemed almost to give her wings without pausing to listen she heard all the familiar sounds that attend to trains arrival and departure just after an all aboard from the conductor the long train began to push slowly off gaining speed as it moved till as she burst from a thicket and plunged through a narrow run of wastewater that followed the track for a few rods the last car was spinning by her without a breath of hesitation she seized the iron rod at the end and her strong little grasp and flung herself against the steps bruising herself sadly but clinging on after a few moments spent in collecting herself and recovering from her efforts the brave girl drew herself up from the car steps to the platform and gazing back at the woods which seemed to close behind them as they spent along tried to form some plan of action no one at the station could have seen her spring upon the cars so there would be no one to tell Mrs. Abbott what had come of her then after all what certainty had she that Elfie was upon the cars perhaps hers had been a wild goose chase she was positive that Elfie was in the carriage but perhaps they had not taken her on the cars they might have been afraid and left her at the station or they might be still waiting there for the down train which went through half an hour later then the horrible thought came that if Elfie was safe and no one knew what had become of her wouldn't Mrs. Abbott think she had run away with the fifty dollars the agony of that idea was too dreadful poor Marion threw herself down on the platform and burying her scratched flaming face in her hands sobbed dolefully End of Chapter 24 Recording by Sage Turtle TYRTLE.COM Chapter 25 of The Friendly Five This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Sage Turtle TYRTLE.COM The Friendly Five by Mary C. Hungerford Chapter 25 The Sphinx The morning after the circus had left the town as the older girls were going into one of the smaller recitation rooms to the English literature class Edna whispered to Addy in the five minutes that were always allowed on every change of room Hasn't the circus gone? Yes, went last night And now we can't have our fortunes told Yes you can For Madame Bellotti hasn't gone Oh good I saw Ythiklad and she and her sister have promised to come up to the grove by the back gate at twelve o'clock Of course she can't be fixed up as a Sphinx because her rigging had to go off in the vans She's great, fun anyway For one thing she can give you lucky numbers But she wants Elfie to come She says she saw her once when you all walked to the village and she says there's something uncommon in her eyes that shows she's got second sight I don't know as we could bring Elfie and I don't believe she ever saw her either Then we better stay away ourselves for Madame Bellotti will get out of temper and not tell us anything Well we must manage it somehow but I do wish I could have seen Madame as a Sphinx Yes, that was a real good rig but she's a Spanish gypsy and she can tell fortunes just as well in a basket and skirt She must have looked awfully funny, said Edna I told the girls I didn't care about seeing her but I really did want to fearfully She was very well made up, said Addie All you saw was just a real head on a table There were books and brick-a-brack and flowers on the table and its head right in the middle of them There were curtains in front and a man drew these on one side to show us there was no deception and we seemed to be looking right under the table Of course we were not allowed to step near Well I am determined to have my fortune told even if I can't see her as a Sphinx, said Edna I don't believe you will get it told unless you bring Elfie I don't see why she makes such a point of having Elfie cub It's going to be a great bother What did she say about it anyway? Well I guess it is only some superstitious idea of hers about numbers She told me a lot of stuff about a large sum of money she could get if she had a certain number and the way to get the lucky number is to get a blonde orphan girl under six years old to be blindfolded and draw it out of a hundred others in a box Oh what stuff, said Edna That's all bosh I suppose it is, but she's awfully stubborn and says she won't come out at all if she can't have such a little thing as that done to oblige her Well it was kind of nice of them to stay a day after the circus just for us I don't see how it's to be managed Candice is sick, that's one good thing but that sneaky Mary Ann Stubbs is her guardian fiend It would tell of us quick as a wink if she saw us taking the child out of the yard I don't think Mary Ann is given a tail-telling said Addie significantly and Edna had the grace to color with shame the memory of her own meanness in the matter of the composition when Mary Ann refused to tell of her she knew it was in Addie's mind as she spoke Well anyway, I don't want the impertinent thing to know anything about it If I felt sure of Lily, it would be alright They will always leave Elfie with her at any length of time but Lily is queer sometimes and I guess I better manage it myself I thought Lily was coming with us Lily, Katie, Delia, and Belle are all coming and if Lily sees Elfie there with us she won't say anything about it afterward even if she does speak a little fuss about it at first but I know she won't take her herself Well, manage it your own way instead of going home I'll just walk down through the Grove and meet you at the Little Iron Gate You must go right down as soon as recess begins so as to have time to get through and back here to your dinner There was no one but Addie at the Little Gate when the girls ran through the Grove but in a moment two bold-looking young women very flashily dressed appeared walking leisurely toward them on the other side There they come, said Addie Have you got the key to the padlock, Edna? I haven't got the key that Belogs to it, of course but I have brought one that fits it perfectly well Oh dear, suppose it shouldn't Never fear, I've tried it before, said Edna nodding her head wisely and fitting the key into the lock which it turned easily These ladies are Madame Belotti and her sister said Addie as a sort of introduction But why are the spazanks? asked Elvie, looking greatly disappointed I am the sphinx young lady, said one of the women that you've got arms and legs spazinxes don't have anything but heads and a big-lice collar I did see one in a picture I don't have anything but a head when I was professional said the woman affably dancing around hurriedly as if she feared a possible interruption but, of course, I can't walk without my legs But I don't see how you pull them off and put them on again said Elvie, sidling away with some timidity from a creature whose anatomy was so foreign to the established usages of humanity and I don't want my fortune told, I'd rather go back Well, don't be afraid, said Madame Belotti, sweetly I have nice little girls of my own at home and here's my sister, she has lots of pretty dings in her bag she'll show them to you what these young ladies let me read their poems Elvie felt less dread of a person who made no pretension to being a sphinx and was soon examining with great interest a box of trinkets which the woman told her were genuine gypsy queen adornments worn at gypsy courts on great occasions meantime, Madame Belotti was gazing with mysterious scrutiny upon the lines of Katie's pretty pink palm and predicting a mosaic of ill and good fortune so nicely blended that Katie felt that her entire life as thus set before her had little to embitter it Now try mine, said Lily, and be sure you put in a trip to Europe with a winter in Rome and another in Paris There is much pleasure for you, my pretty young lady said the prophetess, and some pain to endure before the pleasure comes but there's money and fame for you finally Great prosperity and a long life with somebody Why, there's a mysterious somebody in everyone's hand, is there? asked Lily I wonder who my somebody is It's all fair men with a long mustache said the fortune teller, irraculately Well, said Lily You may keep that young man yourself for all things I hate, tall fair men My papa is little and broad and he's my type of everything good and I wouldn't marry a man who wasn't just like him for the whole world Oh, Lily, do shut up whispered Edna, you'll make her agree that she won't finish but Madam seemed in no way disconcerted or offended by Lily's trifling and continued to promise her quite an extensive variety of experiences Then Edna offered her hand with its two ample embellishment of rings and Madam gave them quite a little turn by the excitement she manifested on studying its interesting lines A most wonderful hand, lady I have never seen but one like it It holds a destiny that frightens me Do I dare to tell you? Let me think a moment Here she grew so awful and mysterious in her manner While she turned the hand one way and the other as if to get new light upon the doom there depicted and the girls grew deeply absorbed in their attention clustering close around her in forgetfulness of everything else The air was heavy with the August noonday heat Above in the grove the meeting branches hardly stirred Even the birds and the insect world were still and the only sound that broke upon the oppressive silence was distant rush of water that fell over the little dam half a mile away from them I think I cannot tell you at all said the fortune teller raising her hand and looking about her hurriedly Some young ladies when they hear what is not good they faints and goes on very bad and their friends makes a fuss and scolds the poor gypsy who only tells what she reads and it is not her fault if it is not good But I will not fade or bake a fuss said Edna looking pale and frightened I am not afraid No you needn't be said Lily making an effort to throw off an uncomfortable feeling that the woman's intense manner had given them all I don't believe in fortune telling anyway But it is true I have the power to see the future to see the past too said the woman Shall I tell you all about your past life? This to Edna who murmured an ascent Well then you have lived in fine house and had much fine dresses and jewels and you have lost a friend and you have lately had a letter These shrewd guesses based on the sight of Edna's showy rings very light morning seemed like very conclusive evidence that her father's wealth and her grandmother's death last year were entries in the book of faith that was open to the bold black eyes and Edna became almost afraid to hear the dark prophecy that she was threatened with See is a strange faith very strange said the woman again musing over the hand she held but stealing an anxious glance at a little nickel watch that hung by her side I will hear it said Edna tragically nerving herself for the worst Nonsense said Lily catching a glimpse of her ghastly agitated face You are taking all this stuff in dead earnest Edna and it will make you sick Oh dear I wish we hadn't come Mrs. Abbott will be so displeased Come girls let's go right home and she pulled out her pocketbook You shall have money from each of us Madam Bellotti but I think we don't want to hear any more solemn truths today Edna who was rather a nervous girl was beginning to cry and the others frightened lest she should treat them to a fit of hysterics such as she had once in a thunderstorm and make it difficult to get her home quietly began to soothe her and try to coax her back to the gate Madam seemed a little indifferent about the money Lily and Kate fumbled in their purses to collect Suddenly Katie exclaimed Elfie why where's the child Gone back into the grove probably said Addie quietly who felt calmer than the others because less responsible She must be with Madam Bellotti's sister said Lily not yet feeling very much worried Where is she Madam The Sphinx was thrusting the money into her pocketbook and bowing as if to say farewell Her face wore an anxious look but she replied very civilly pointing in the opposite direction from the road that led to the station The little one is all safe My sister gets her to draw for us some lucky numbers out of the bag so we may get a great fortune from them The drawing must be made under a red oak tree and in the sound of running water that is very important and hark I hear running water off the air and as we walk up I say to my sister some waterfall is down that way and you must take the little girl there to draw the numbers from the bag Shall I go look for her young ladies or will you go yourself and find her under some big oak tree near the falling water The girls were running down the hill toward the little mill before Madam had quite finished speaking but that irracular person did not seem disturbed being left She gave one glance at Edna who after a moment of hesitation rather socally followed the others and fleetily disappeared in the other direction End of Chapter 25 Recording by Sage Turtle T-Y-R-T-L-E.com Chapter 26 of The Friendly Five This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Chad Horner from Ballyclair in County Antrim, Northern Ireland situated in the north east of the island of Ireland The Friendly Five by Mary C. Hungerford Chapter 26, Alfie Gone How does it happen, said Mrs Abbott as she carved the roast beef at dinner There are so many baking places at the table I don't understand at all, said Miss Blake No one has asked to be excused and irregularity at meals has never been a fault of any of our household Alfie is missing too, said Mrs Abbott but she is undoubtedly upstairs in the room with Candice She is in Kitty Ashley's Charge for school hours this week, said Miss Blake True, but where is Katie? Does anyone at the table know where Katie and the other absent ones are? But no one knew and Mrs Abbott with some displeasure expressed in her face sent one of the mates upstairs to search for the absentees While the dinner proceeded in uncomfortable silence till interrupted just as the plates of the first course were being removed by the entrance of Lily who ran into the room with a white face glanced at Alfie's vacant place and cried out apprehensively Oh, I did hope she might have come back alone We cannot find her anywhere Who are you talking about? asked Mrs Abbott turning very pale and speaking certainly Is it Alfie you cannot find? Then Lily, before them all gave a rabbit history of the deliberate disobedience their interview with the fortune teller and Alfie's disappearance Mrs Abbott heard it to the end in silence but her face looked haggard and worried as she herself led the way to a thorough search in every direction The other SC girls had nothing to add to Lily's story but hurdled together, regretting bitterly now that it was too late their disobedience which had caused all this trouble Inquiries at the station showed that the fortune teller and her sister with the man in attendance took the train at 1.15 but as they did not get their tickets it could not be learned and they would leave the carriage They reached the station only just in time for the train which they boarded instantly They were loaded down with shawls and packages but no one saw a child in their company The proprietor of the library's table said two ladies who had stopped a day behind the circus hired a carriage of him but on meeting a gentleman friend dismissed him with orders to meet them and take charge of his carriage at the arrival of the 1.15 train He was a moment late but the boys and the empty carriage standing back of the station and the young man just followed the ladies into the cars They had paid him more than he asked when dismissing him It was some hours before another train left and Mrs Abbott, in sad perplexity went to her old friend Mr Mason the bank president who was also Addy's father who advised telegraphing to Troy to have the incoming train searched for the party which they described as nearly as possible Mr Mason spoke incidentally of the girl who brought the cheque in the morning that Mrs Abbott remembered she had not seen Marion since sending her to him Going home again she sought her at once in Candace's room The poor woman had just learned of Elphi's disappearance and her anguish was pitiful to see She rose from her bed at once conquering the pain that had kept her a prisoner there and declaring she would go in search of her child Oh where, where was Miss Marion? she asked not to be looking after my pet It had become certain by that time that Marion had also disappeared and though there was no ground for hoping it Candace instantly declared that Marion had gone after her darling Mr Mason and Mrs Abbott were at the station waiting for the cars when a telegram was brought to her from the office within the building End of chapter 26 recording by Chad Horner from Ballet Claire in County Anthem Northern Ireland situated in the northeast of the island of Ireland Chapter 27 of The Friendly Five This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Nancy Isaacs The Friendly Five by Mary C. Hungerford Chapter 27 On the Road The breakman on the express train stood at the door of the last car looking through the glass at the scenery which constant travel had made so familiar to him that he was hardly conscious of his wonderful beauty but a downward glance showed him something much less common and his face became expressive of great alertness as uttering one or two words of greater strength and force than his ordinary language conveyed he opened the door and let himself out upon the platform Well he said looking at Mary and critically for an outside passenger maybe you've got the right kind of a look but it strikes me if you'd remember to put on your bonnet and brush yourself up a little you'd have seemed more respectable where are you going my pretty maid and where did you come from I got on at the last station said Mary seeing only kindness on his face in spite of his gruff tones I was too late and I had to jump on after you started and I lost my hat getting over a fence trying to catch the train well said the breakman slowly stealing rides ain't a healthy way of traveling and the company's disposed to fight men and boys you try it but I don't think that ever thought about a girl getting on a flying and riding for nothing I suppose you'll have to be put off like the rest of them likely the rule works same way for hers as him's and the direction says put him off immediate please don't put me off please please don't said Mary I didn't want to still ride but I had a reason for wanting to get on this train and so though I was too late I jumped on after it left the depot a very dangerous thing to do said the breakman so early is more than a wonder you weren't killed you were not going so awfully fast said Marian but I'm sorry I've broken any rules or done anything you don't like I have no ticket but can't I pay my way without one you can pay the conductor but I think the first thing to be done is to get you inside it wouldn't take much to blow you off this platform he opened the door and gave the girl a seat the car was not crowded and being seated so far back only two or three passengers seemed to notice her entrance among these was a tall angular woman who put on an appearance of great astonishment at seeing a bare-headed stranger brought in from nowhere she gazed steadily at Marian for a while and seemed about to question her but contented herself by shaking her head at the ceiling and ejaculating well I never did presently the man having gone Marian bent over and executed some mysterious movements which culminated in her bringing to light a crisp new bill this time the lady said did I ever addressing her exclamation as before to the car roof he cannot be wrong to use it Marian was saying to herself I shall be put off the train if I do not pay my way and then perhaps no one can ever find Elphi presently the conductor came through the car looking keenly to right and left for any new face his eye fell upon Marian and looking rather curiously at her disarranged dress he demanded her ticket I have no ticket said the girl but I have many to pay my fare if you will tell me how much it is where are you going to that very natural improper question was appalling to Marian she hesitated a moment thinking very fast how she should surmount the difficulty which had unexpectedly arisen then answered his question Yankee fashion with another what does it cost to go to the end of the line three dollars to go to Troy then please sell me a ticket for Troy said Marian handing him a five dollar bill and watching him anxiously while he looked at it scrutinizingly before handing her two dollars and a little certificate upon which he informed her she could reclaim five cents if she offered it at a station Marian carried very little for that just then but she did care for the check he gave her with the names of all the stopping places the car was full of people with their backs toward the door Marian had entered and no one had noticed her except those in the farthest back seats her appearance excited some remark for a few moments but no one showed any special curiosity about her except the thin lady in the seat opposite hers she indeed watched her so closely that she could hardly give any red wool crochet work that occupied her fingers there was something that Marian at first thought rather forbidding about her sharp black eyes but around her mouth was a pleasant comfortable expression that made it seem quite natural that she should after a while lean over toward Marian and stretch at her hand with a big red apple in it Marian took it with rather a greedy feeling for she had missed her dinner and was beginning to feel quite hungry maybe you'd better sit over here by me said the donor pleased to see her apple so well appreciated you're a sin right in her the sun how beautifully you crochet said Marian gratefully taking the cooler seat well I've done enough to do it middle and well what is it to be asked Marian not caring much but feeling that her companion wanted to talk it's a Tamashander this is the 15th one I've made for the new church organ what does a church organ one of them asked Marian so busy thinking she hardly knew what she said you seem to be as to the crochet the ladies of the church have undertaken to buy an organ and were taken every way to do it we've had strawberry festivals and clam suppers and a pastel bag and a guest cake and even the children in a parlor fair and raised 25 dollars I get a dollar and 15 cents for these and taken out for the yarn I buy and sell they give a profit of one dollar each for the organ as she talked she was opening a traveling bag from which she took a finished cap a dark blue one and held it out for Marian's admiration this she continued is one cousin Sir and Albany ordered for one of her girls and I'm going there on a visit and thought struck Marian oh wouldn't you sell that one to me perhaps your cousin would wait till you could make another and I do need something to cover my head the woman looked at her thoughtfully I made sure when I said I was on you that you'd run away she said for no young girl's mother to let her go traveling without a hat or bunnet you don't seem a wild sort and maybe you had a good reason for making off you may have been a bound girl for all I know however I don't know I have any objection to letting you have the damn it'll be that much extra for the organ so the purchase was made and Marian looked much less conspicuous with her head covered I lost my hat as I ran explain Marian and the bushes caught my dress and tore all these places I've got a hussuf with needles and thread said the woman and you might sew up the worst of the tears there's pieces gone out of some of them but you can cobble them up into some kind of shape and help yourself to look more like decent traveling folks I don't hold a fine around the road but I hate rags either abroad or to home Marian thanked her joyfully but while she busied herself with the rinse she pondered on the strangeness of hearing from someone else the infelicities of speech that she was beginning to be quite emancipated from herself for no one meeting her now would believe that she had only lately expressed herself in a more uncouth dialect than her fellow passenger used then as the train slowed up at a station she became wildly anxious for fear the party she was pursuing might leave the cars unnoticed by her she felt that it would be very imprudent for her to let herself be seen by Alfie so she went to the steps at the back of the car and eagerly scanned the people who were getting off then as she came back to her seat it again occurred to her that she could not even be certain that Alfie was on the train and this journey of hers might be a foolish exploit which she could hardly explain satisfactorily to Mrs. Abbott you got something on your mind said the thin crocheting lady as Marian resumed her seat and if I was you if it was any wrong doing I think twice for I kept on with it there was something honest and persuasive in her tones and Marian felt that she was a friend so, obeying as said an impulse she exclaimed after a searching look into the bright eyes that were looking rather deploringly at her oh I do wish you would help me End of Chapter 27 Recording by Nancy Isaacs Chapter 28 of The Friendly Five This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Mary Windeschar W-I-N-D-I-S-H-A-R dot com The Friendly Five By Mary C. Hungerford Chapter 28 Well, my name is Hannah Amanda Manning and I'm first cousin to Minister Jones' wife and I teach a class in Sunday school and I've had the district school for three summers I ain't a married woman with children of my own but I got a general interest in all young folks and I believe I'm kind of motherly if I be an old maid I've told you now who I am if you'd like to make a clean breast of it for I know you've got some out of the common detail I'll give you advice according to my judgment or I'll help you out of your scrape whatever it is providing you got the right kind of principles about you I ain't going in for any schemes for leaving a country home to seek your fortune in a big city that's come out of reading improper literature It was not like Marion to confide in a stranger but she felt the need of help and her instincts had guided her correctly in asking it of Miss Manning The keen bright eyes were the windows of a faithful heart which warmed generously to the brave girl as she heard all of the story Marion thought it best to tell her Well, I never Sure and I never did At intervals were her comments as the story proceeded When it was done she grasped her long chin in her right hand and only saying let me thank a man it gazed for some time at the flying landscape Marion too was thinking wondering what they were doing at school what they would think and wondering if Mrs. Abbott would blame her for making use of the money entrusted to her Her reverie ended in such a long sigh that Miss Manning turned around with a jerk What now? She demanded Nothing Only I'm so troubled about spending Mrs. Abbott's money Well, you needn't be if your Miss Abbott is the woman you make out she is She would not spare money in such a cause He ain't told me how much you got and I'm glad of it It shows you've got some worldly wisdom and whatever happens Don't you tell anybody else you've got a cent This world's full of villains and there ain't one in a thousand that's to be trusted and them that looks like saints is more likely to be worse sinners than them that seems to be rag-a-muffins I trust you, said Marion Well, you don't know who you'd order How can you tell this minute but I'm one of the very folks that's plotting to get a hold of that child I want you to get hold of her Or help me to do it, said Marion with a bright smile lighting up her worried face for a moment Good for you, said Miss Manning with a smile that was good to see if less charming than the girls Now, I've been thinking it over She continued growing very sober and this is the way it stands You don't even know for certain the child is on the train No, but I am sure she must be Well, I guess she is I feel it in my bones, as it were that she is and I'm kind of witchy about feeling things but you can't go through the cars looking at the folks to find out for even if them circus fortune-tellers didn't recognize you the child would likely haul her out as soon as she's seen you and those folks would get excited and try some other dodge they might even try to get you arrested for trying to entice a child away from them Yes, I should have gone through the cars as soon as I paid my fare if I hadn't been afraid of that and that is why I wanted your help Doctor, if you had seen them but I was afraid you might tell them someone was asking for them Do you think you could go through and look for them, Miss Manning? If I told you just how they look Certainly, I was just going to propose it I never have walked through a train whilst was going jiggle to jiggle but I guess I can do it Maybe it's against the law to go out of a car while it's in motion but if that conductor tries to have me took up it'll be the worst for him for I can prove I'm a respectable woman no matter where I am So, showing her utter confidence in Marion by leaving in her charge her traveling bag and beloved crochet work Miss Manning making wild clutches at the seat backs as the swaying car through her from side to side began her exploring expedition through the train It seemed a long time to Marion before she returned but the moment she re-entered the car her sharp eyes sought the girls and the quick little nod she gave said plainly that she had found the objects of her search She was a good deal excited by the part she was playing in the adventure but she would not be hurried and anxious as Marion was to hear all she had to tell she had to wait till Miss Manning had re-tied her bunnet, straightened her shawl and readjusted the over-skirt that had been pulled awry by contact with various impediments I've seen them, she said at last two red-cheeked women and a scary young man with cabbage roses on their bunnets dressed to kill he was and ready-made clothes lots too big for him he's got a nose like a pulled parrot's beak and they've got a child with them but land sex it ain't much more than a baby poor little creature it's asleep on one seat with its head on a woman's lap it's got a lace cap on its head and a white dress with blue sash it's as pale as a ghost and there's great black rings around its eyes I should really say that they've been giving it something to make it sleep it was such a heavy sleep and the child looks so peeked and queer oh dear, said Marion struggling with a sob I must get her away from them I am sure it must be Elvie she's a tiny thing with the sweet little face and long wavy hair there wasn't much hair showing but she had her head covered all up with an embroidered cap tied under her chin Elvie had a hat on I think said Marion looking puzzled what of that you had a hat on too I suppose when you started but you've got on a tam now oh yes they may have put the cap on for a disguise well what next Miss Manning could you find out where they were going they had one seat turned back so they faced each other continued Miss Manning and right in front of them was a vacant seat I slipped into it and gave my whole mind to trying to catch what they said one of the women had the back of her head close to mine and as she couldn't lean forward without disturbing the child I could hear what she said pretty well it seems they're going to Troy then New York and then after the hue and cry is over they're going somewhere else I picked out that much from their talk but that in all after we stopped the last time the man hailed the conductor as he went through and asked for stopover checks saying one of the ladies was sick and he thought they'd have to put up overnight at Blockville after they got the stopovers they seemed to get at odds among themselves about whether to use them or not one of the women said it would be safer and they could take the owl train on in the night the other one said they might meet someone and she was foregoing on the man told her if anyone was coming they'd come down on the six o'clock accommodation this evening and go past them at Blockville and besides that someone might telegraph to have this train searched at Troy I came away then continued Miss Manning for they didn't seem to be coming to any decision and I thought we better be making some counter plans yes said Marion I ought to get a stopover check too for if they get out I must get out too it won't do to lose sight of them if you do get off I'd better telegraph to Mrs. Abbott for you as soon as I get to Troy said Miss Manning and tell her you're on the track oh how good of you to think of it said Marion tell her I'll telegraph myself when I can get a chance how shall I word it not to scare them to death I never rid a dispatch in my life nor I either said Marion but I know you want to say as few words as possible if I had a pencil and paper I would try Miss Manning's traveling bags applied both and their combined genius inexperienced as they were produced this rather obscure telegram Marion's stubs is after them they've got Alfie wait till she sends for you A. Manning it did not seem very clear to Marion but she hardly knew how to change it without offending Miss Manning who seemed highly pleased with it so she wrote the address beneath and gave her a half dollar for expenses neither of them having any idea what a message ought to cost the next station was Colby and feeling sure that Blockville or Troy would be the destination of the party Marion did not look out for them but idly watched the group of passengers who were about to get in suddenly there appeared upon the platform making quick way to the waiting room one of the black eyed women with a child in her arms much wrapped in a long dark cloak followed closely by Madame Baladi and the man oh, look Miss Manning she exclaimed they are going to stop here and I haven't my stopover check nevermind that child said Miss Manning jump out quick maybe your ticket will do anyway ask them at the office before you get on the train again and don't worry if you have to lose it Mrs Abbott won't care what you spend in such a case goodbye dear don't you lose my direction and write to me sure as soon as you can End of Chapter 28 Recording by Mary Windeshar W-I-N-D-I-S-H-A-R.com Chapter 29 of The Friendly Five This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Nancy Isaacs The Friendly Five by Mary C. Hungerford Chapter 29 Watching and Waiting Mary and Spring off and waving a goodbye to the new friend she really felt wonderfully sorry to leave mingled with a crowd of eyelers on the platform apparently absorbed like them in watching the outgoing train she dared not go into the waiting room but walking slowly up and down the platform she could see what was going on within Alfie was sleeping and the woman who had taken a seat still holding her had thrown a gray veil over her face presently she stood up and giving the child to the man to carry they all came out upon the platform walked to the end of it and stepping into a hack were driven slowly up the road Mary and started briskly after them easily keeping the carriage in sight as it climbed the long hill to the courthouse they returned and gradually increasing in speed soon distanced her for a moment the girl was non-plus then a little thought reassured her the people had probably stopped to elude pursuit they would waste no time but most likely go on as Miss Manning had heard them say they intended in the owl train probably they knew someone with whom they could stay in Colby and so had suddenly given up the Blockville plan she would go back to the station before any other train came and wait for them and perhaps she could learn where they had gone from the Hackman she was sure she should know him again the legend coffee, ice cream, and stewed oysters caught her eyes as she passed through the street the Colbyites called the business part of their modest little town and made her remember that she was very hungry and stepping into the little saloon she ordered oysters, coffee, and bread and butter which she ate with great relish wishing that her conscience allowed her to finish her feast with ice cream her favorite delicacy but while she felt sure she was justified in spending all the money she needed to assist in the pursuit of Elphi her sturdy honesty would not justify her in indulging herself in things that were not necessities so she finished her frugal meal and walked into the little shop in front to pay her bill there was a counter there with three divisions respectively devoted to cakes, candies, and pies among the cakes were some shiny brown rusk and remembering the long hours that she must spend waiting for the owl train at the railway station Marian ordered half a dozen of them put in paper for her a man lounged in as she stood there and laying down a dime helped himself to a quarter of a pie making some jovial remark as he did so to the young girl in charge where you been? asked the girl who seemed very willing to chat with him I saw you taking a load of folks up from the train didn't I? yes replied the man with his mouth full of pie some folks went up to old Warners well I declare wow Warner ain't had no company before since his son went off I kinda think this was his son he had a hooked nose like the old man I never saw the son before he went off before I come to Colby but I've heard he had one yes he did and he wasn't good for much either to make an excuse for Stain Marian selected two or three cakes to be added to her rusk with great deliberation listening eagerly for she saw the empty hack at the door and made sure this was the man who had taken Alfie and her captors from the station how long is Warners company going to stay disposed? asked the girl cutting another pie in obedience to a sign from the man that's the funniest part said the driver they told me to come for them at half past one tonight so they could take the two o'clock train I says to the fellow when he gave me my fare says I you make a short visit to your folks yes but the baby seems feverish and we've got to get on to sing sing so we can have our own doctor says he alright says I I'll be back for you in time Marian needed to hear no more so she paid her bill and walked out she amused herself walking about the streets and went into a dry good store and bought herself a small supply of collars and cuffs a pair of gloves a crochet needle and some yarn and a little purse she was too industrious by nature to feel happy without work and so restless under the present circumstances that she thought some employment might help to keep her calm she went back to the station and occupied herself trying to recall the fan pattern that Edna and Addy were crocheting for skirts she succeeded very readily and as the hours passed on she worked quite a long piece of pretty lace and her interest in making it made the long time of waiting pass very comfortably when the late afternoon train passed she ran to the platform and eagerly gazed at the car windows thinking there was just a possibility of seeing someone from Coventry School but there was no one there and she opened her parcel and ate her rusk and cake with a glass of water and getting a seat near the light began her crocheting again at half past nine the up freight came by followed in half an hour by the passenger train from Troy the station master who had looked curiously at Marion several times then came and told her he was going to shut up the depot oh dear she cried I'm sure there was a train at two o'clock tonight so there is then I come down and open the place ten minutes before it comes you ought to have taken the eight o'clock train if you wanted to go to Troy I don't know what to do said poor Marion couldn't I stay here I'd have to lock you in said the man doubtfully ain't you got no place to go to no no but I don't mind staying if you will let me I can crochet and that will keep me from getting lonesome but I'll have to put out the lights there is orders against leaving a light being shut up alone in the dark was not a pleasant prospect but Marion was resolved for Elphi's sake to shrink from nothing still it was a pale little face with trembling lips that the station master glanced at as with the lantern in his hand he went out of the door he was not a sympathetic man but the sight made him say cheerily well yes I'll come back a little ahead of time so as to shorten up the hours for you if I had a home of my own I'd offer to take you along with me but I'm one of ten fellows in a small boarding house and it ain't no place for a girl Marion tried to thank him but her voice didn't seem very steady she was very near to tears but she wouldn't let them come look at here Marion she said dropping into the unconventional form of speech which had once made her so laughed at you ain't such a great account that there's anyone coming here a purpose to bother you and the Lord ain't going to give up looking after you just cause the lights is out then kneeling down on the hard floor in front of one of the seats Marion prayed long and earnestly for success on her mission for guidance and care I think I can sleep now she said to herself so soothed and tranquilized as she rose from her knees that it no longer seemed dreadful to be left there alone the moon was rising and there was light enough for her to pick out a corner seat which was more roomy than the others and curling her feet under her she soon forgot her trials in a sweet healthy sleep which bridged the time so thoroughly that when the station master's key turned in the door she thought he had come back for some forgotten duty alright sis he asked rather anxiously was she in the lantern around the room oh yes thank you sir and I've had a nice sleep was the answer as Marion slipped her feet upon the floor hastily and began to walk about there was the sound of wheels not long after and suspecting what it meant she slipped out of the waiting room and standing in the deep shadows of the building watch the Sphinx and her party arrive spring out first and said something so softly she could not hear but she heard Alfie's voice fretfully objecting to something the man seemed to be trying to induce her to come to him and finally reached in and lifted her out gently Marion almost screamed as the light from a window fell in the little head from which the beautiful long curls had been closely shorn and lit up the shivering figure that was now lost in boys' clothes come along with me Johnny boy some madame a lotty jumping hastily from the carriage and lifting the seeming boy in her arms he needs more medicine said the man significantly some nice sweet medicine to make Johnny sleep good then going into the empty waiting room he carefully dropped something from a vial upon a lump of sugar which the woman persuaded Alfie to take Marion watching through the window felt sure they were dragging the child to make her sleep and was in agonies of fear lest they should give her a dangerous quantity the poor child looks sick too grief and fear and perhaps the frequent administration of the quieting drops had made her pale and dejected she seemed very docile and later had on the woman's shoulder as directed and soon fell asleep a veil was thrown over her face before they took her into the car and later carefully down upon the seat with her head as before resting on the lap of one of the women Marion dared not risk stopping on that car but ran quickly through it after seeing them seated and took her place in the next when morning came still keeping out of Alfie's sight she kept watch of the party who seemed to have made another change in their plans for instead of going on to New York they took a hack on reaching Troy and drove to the Seacore House Marion heard the direction given to the driver who drove so deliberately that even without running all the way she kept them in sight End of Chapter 29 Recording by Nancy Isaacs Chapter 30 of The Friendly Five This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Sage Turtle T-Y-R-T-L-E dot com The Friendly Five by Mary C. Hungerford Chapter 30 There was an unpretending restaurant at the Seacore House where just as Marion reached it a middle-aged man with a delightfully good-natured look on his rather plain face was taking down the shutters Is it too early for me to have some breakfast in your saloon? She asked If I just had a glass of milk and some bread it would be enough We don't generally serve meals for eight o'clock said the man looking at her keenly but kindly sitting up to the counter come in Marion felt quite sure the party were intending to seclude themselves by day and travel by night but she knew not how to keep them in sight While she was thinking about it as she sat by the counter eating and only half listening to the talkative saloon keeper the sound of a blind thrown back fell on her ear and glancing up at the shabby hotel opposite she saw the woman we have known as Madame Bellotti turning away from the window Oh, Mr. Jones she said having learned the good-natured shopkeeper's name from the highly embellished business cards which filled a tray on the counter Could I get a room over there in that hotel, do you think? Of course if you've got the money to pay for it but I thought maybe they wouldn't take in a very young girl without any older person with her they might be afraid I wouldn't pay, you know Sick or house folks ain't so dreadful particular as the Tony hotels said Mr. Jones and if you really want to be accommodated over there I'll step in myself and speak to the clerk, I know him very well Oh, thank you sir and would you mind asking for a fourth story room for me and will you please pay for me till tomorrow morning and she handed him her new little purse in which she had put five dollars in some change all right, you're very sensible it will be cheaper than the second or third story, said Mr. Jones marching off on his errand and leaving Mrs. Jones who had just come through a back door in charge he soon came back announcing that he had secured a small room on the fourth floor and the young lady might go to it as soon as she liked he handed her back her purse remarking that she was too trustful it happens I'm honest he said, but if you go on that way you'll likely get sorry for your glad which sentence seemed to please him so much that he repeated it several times at short intervals with many sagacious nods of his grey head while his wife was making a little conversation with Marion it was a back room as Mr. Jones had said and as nearly as Marion could tell when a slatternly servant maid conducted her to it nearly opposite the one where the woman had thrown back the blind there was an open transom over that door and as soon as Marion found herself alone she turned the key climbed on a chair and opened the transom over her own door all through the long morning she stood unwirried at her post balancing herself on the back of the chair to make herself tall enough hearing the sound of voices in the room opposite but unable to distinguish any words once indeed she heard Elfie sobbing softly and the sound rung her heart the child seemed hard to soothe but after a time the sobs gradually ceased and the listener imagined the little thing had fallen asleep again soon after there was a knock at the door and Marion sprang softly from her chair and opening it found a hallboy they sent me up to tell you he began as soon as he saw her that the 1155 train ward of the carriage force took off and you can't go till 140 you've come to the wrong room said Marion number 39 fourth story said the boy this is number 38 said Marion oh then I'm on the wrong side said the boy I ain't been here but one day and I got turned around number 39 must be across the hall he knocked at the opposite door and Marion with her door imperceptibly ajar saw the hooked for a moment of conversation come out and walk rapidly down the hall with the boy he came back in half an hour and Marion from the position she had resumed at the transom could hear tones of angry disappointment from the women to whom he seemed to be telling something once she thought she caught the words it will make us miss the express in New York she felt convinced that they were going on the train the boy spoke of but she had no way of telling whether it was a day or night train the noon whistles were blowing then so she would not have to wait long to find out the next two hours were very agitating one and another of the party opposite kept leaving their rooms but as they never all left together she thought probably they went down to dine a waiter brought up a tray with dinner for the sick boy Marion heard him say as he knocked on the door at last she heard a distant clock striking three and knew their 140 was a night train she ventured then to go over to the restaurant for her own dinner she was hungry enough to long to go into the saloon at the back and order a comfortable dinner but she wanted to keep the hotel door in sight so she asked good natured mrs. Jones who is now on duty in place of her husband if she might have bread and milk at the counter again and receiving permission took her seat where she could see everyone who went in and out of the sacor house mrs. Jones suggested sandwiches and pie as becoming adjuncts to a counter lunch and Marion gladly partook of them in order to package of the former tied up for future needs she lingered as long as she could over her lunch quite enjoying the company of mrs. Jones who asked no questions but comfortably gave quite a biography of herself it was not an hour when customers were plenty so there were few interruptions Marion felt so desolate and lonely that being with this nice motherly woman was very cheering and she felt as safe about Elfie there with the window of her room in sight as she did when in the hotel so seeing mrs. Jones' futile effects to keep the glasses on her broad nose while she took a few stitches and mrs. Jones' socks she asked permission to take the work out of her hands and soon found herself comfortably seated behind the counter on a low chair close by the large window with a basket of stockings in her lap cheerfully bridging the pollen chasms in mrs. Jones' neglected gray socks with blue-darning cotton that being the only color afforded by the basket she worked till it was too dark to see the opposite house readily and taking a paper of candy which mrs. Jones gratefully insisted on giving her with a kiss went back to her room on the fourth floor end of chapter 30 recording by sage turtle t-y-r-t-l-e dot com she sat down and tried to keep herself composed by crocheting on her wool lace there was no way of finding out the time but after some hours the house grew very still and she felt sure it was late mrs. Jones had told her they kept the saloon open till 12 an hour later than they would she said if they did not live there in the building crossing the big hall there was a narrow one with a front window in the end and two or three times very lonely she turned down her light and stole down to this window taking some comfort in seeing the bright light shining opposite and knowing that friendly people were almost within call on her last trip to gather this small comfort she found the saloon dark and the deep shadow cast by the shed roof above the door made it seem black as the entrance to a cavern the sight made her feel lonely and forsaken but the darkness told her 12 o'clock had passed and the time was coming near when she must follow Elphi she could find the station she thought even if the carriage went too fast for her but it was frightful to think of going through the lonely city streets at that hour of the night I will not think about it she said to herself God is in the dark as well as in the light he will take care of me and for Elphi's sake I can do anything there were sounds of movement in the room opposite and Marion who had long before turned out her light to avoid observation and taken her position on the chair again listened patiently at the transom after a while she heard the man leave the room softly and go downstairs and then an occasional fretful sound from Elphi as if she was being roused from sleep the man came back presently and Marion heard him say as he re-entered the room it is too soon but we had better go Marion softly opened her door a half inch then and through the cracks saw one of the women put Elphi carefully into the man's arms telling him to sit down on the sofa in the hall till she put on her hat then with the door open she turned up the gas probably they had left the room dark to keep Elphi asleep and began to arrange her hair hurriedly at the glass rapidly packing some things into a bag in the hall close by Marion's room was an old hair cloth sofa and cautiously opening her door a trifle father she saw the man sitting there with Elphi sleeping in his arms in a moment he seemed suddenly to remember something important and carefully laying the child still asleep down upon the sofa he walked quickly back to the room while the door which he moved passing along closed behind him a wild thought leaped into Marion's mind oh dare I shall I she asked herself then with a silent cry in her heart for help from God she sprang into the hall lifted the heavily sleeping child in her arms and was back in her own room with her in an instant she laid her gently on the bed and locked the door and her heart beating so madly it seemed to rise clear up in her throat and nearly strangle her what next? what next? she kept asking herself as she stood trembling by the door thinking perhaps it might be soon broken down and some rapid and terrible vengeance taken upon her in a few moments there was a smothered commotion in the hall they had missed Elphi and were looking wildly about for her they evidently thought she had roused herself and wandered off and they searched halls and stairs at last there was a sound of rapid feet on the stairs and the clerk in some excitement followed the man up to number 39 exclaiming in less guarded tones than the others were using that the thing was impossible no one could or would have interfered with the child then in answer to some proposition Marion heard him say indignantly what? is it this hour of the night? no sir not for any money would I do it there's been too much noise made already but at last he seemed to consent and himself knocked it every door apologizing for the disturbance asking if anyone had seen a little boy that a traveller had lost the enquiries seemed very startling and many people left their rooms with cloaks or oysters thrown about them to gather particulars of the strange disappearance Marion felt sure that Elphie had received in preparation for a long journey a large dose of the quieting drops so with little fear of waking her she lifted her from the bed and laid her with a pillow under her head upon the floor close by the wall under the bed first moving it away and then as silently as she could rolling it back to its place thus entirely concealing the child who never stirred through it all then she jumped into bed herself and when the expected enquiry came called out sleepily no I have seen no little boy even as she spoke the child under the bed turned uneasily and groaned a cold perspiration bathed Marion from head to foot she thought all was lost but there were people talking excitedly in the hall and the small sound was drowned by the large the landlord, Marion learned by some remarks called out by his appearance had now joined the party what right does anyone to make such a disturbance he asked irritably if your son is really missing madam then the proper way for us will beat a summoner detective I can get one here in ten minutes by the telephone madam Bellotti wished for the services of a detective even in view of the calamity which had befallen her for she said hastily I can't wait we must go on the next train because a friend who is dying in New York has telegraphed for us there was a distinct murmur of surprise among the spectators who must have thought madam quite unmotherly in spite of the great anxiety she had lately shown the halls grew very quiet and Marion drew the bed away from the wall so that the air might reach the little sleeper and not daring to lift her to the bed for fear father search might be made sat down on the floor by her happy to hold her little hand in hers although not yet daring to believe she had really rescued her but she was not disturbed again and when daylight stalling through the close blinds there was such a profound stillness all over the house that the tired girl's watchfulness relaxed and she willingly yielded to the sleepiness she had been resolutely fighting off and tenderly putting Alfie into the bed she lay down beside her and slept till the sun was so bright that she was quite sure it must be after 10 o'clock End of chapter 31 Chapter 32 of the Friendly Five this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Farah Iftikar The Friendly Five by Mary C. Hungerford A Deep Sleep Late though it was Alfie was still sleepy and looked in the bright daylight so worn and hollow-eyed that Marion longed to wake her the sleep seemed so death-like she was very puzzled about what to do next sending a telegram to Mrs. Abbott was naturally of the first importance but she would not leave Alfie long enough to do it true, she might lock her in the room while she ran out to send a dispatch but in that time the child might wake and cry out and be discovered at once she thought Madame Bellotti's party had gone but possibly some order had been left to send her the missing child when found or one of the women might be waiting in the neighbourhood a loud knocking at the door startled her out of her perplexed musings who is it she asked going close to the door but not unlocking it is there anyone at all in the room was the answer yes I am here well it take more sense than there is in myself to know who or he is maybe the young lady the dark took a stook board here from yesterday till the day and has never come to the dining room yet for a drink nor a crumb yes that's me said Marian thinking hard over an idea that had suggested itself to her and which she decided to follow if the owner of the voice that was answering her looked trustworthy she opened the door enough then to get a peep at a big good natured Irish woman with the fine fresh colouring and innocent unsophisticated look that is only worn by the newest importations from the sweetest gimo the same one looked at the pleasant honest face determined her will you do me a favour she asked very softly fearing terribly that the sound of her voice might rouse Elphie into a wild outcry that will I indeed that will I once made more cheerful perhaps by seeing a half dollar held out in Marian's fingers is it breakfast you'll be wanting brought up till your room yes I do wish you'd bring me up some breakfast said Marian thinking more of Alfie than herself and a glass of milk with it for I don't want to go to the dining room but that was not the favour I meant I want you to go over to the restaurant across the street for me and tell Mrs. Jones that the men had stockings for her yesterday afternoon is not well and if she will come over here for a few minutes and please bring her right up to this room after that you may bring up the breakfast please it is true I am not well said Marian to herself in excuse for the plea upon which she had summoned Mrs. Jones who in about five minutes came lumbering upstairs quite out of breath with their steepness her fat honest face looked full of sympathy as she came in the room escorted by the maid who shut the door and left them together I hope you ain't sickening down for scarlet fever or dip ethereal any of those dangerous things and you so far off from home said she looking anxiously at Marian's flushed face and heavy eyes no no Mrs. Jones there is nothing the matter with me but fatigue and worry but you are likely to come and I will never forget your kindness I am in great trouble and must have help from somebody then good Mrs. Jones instead of shrinking away with the feeling strangers often have that a young person all alone in a strange place had probably brought her trouble whatever it was upon herself and therefore deserved it took her on her lap as she sat in the straight back little rocking chair and smoothing back her curly head there's a poor little thing as if she had been a tired baby tell me all about it dearie and par and me between us can likely help you out some way Marian could not doubt her so as rapidly as she could she told her how she had followed Elphie and now had rescued her from the people who had undoubtedly been hired to steal her by those who had an interest in getting possession of her said Mrs. Jones who had constantly interrupted the story with exclamations questions and conjectures you had better bring the little dear right over to my place no no Mrs. Jones I dare not do that I cannot let anyone see Elphie or know that I have her here till I can get Mrs. Abbott Madame Balatti or some of those people may be hiding watching and if they see Elphie and claim to how could I prove that I had a right to keep her from them my gracious ain't she got a wise old head on her young shoulders said Mrs. Jones shaking her own head at the bowl and picture on the wash stand as if they were like herself lost in admiration of such youthful sagacity what I hope you will do for me Mrs. Jones is to go and telegraph to Mrs. Abbott of course I will what shall I say I've pricked the message all down with a pin on the inside of an envelope in my pocket I had no pencil I will read it to you but if you forget you can make it out again from this I know or if you will lay this on a clean sheet of paper and rub dry bluing on it it will mark down the words plainly I have often done embroidery patterned that way at school Mrs. Jones gave another admiring shake of a head toward the wash bowl and picture and rose to go on her errand promising to come back directly commentary school Elphys with me come at once to the second house Troy NY MA Stubbs so ran the dispatch which Marion had pricked upon the paper after a fashion she had learned from the girls at school for copying and transferring braiding patterns Sally the good-natured made came to the door then with a tray of breakfast which Marion put on the table and partook her very sparingly reserving the best for Elphie who still slept on although it was almost twelve o'clock there were three little taps with a fingernail on the door in about half an hour Marion, recognising the signal agreed upon, let in Mrs. Jones who had sent off the dispatch and as the result of talking over the matter with Parr to whom some explanation of her visit to the hotel had to be made had thought of a new cause for anxiety which was a possibility that Elphys long sleep might be the effect of an overdose of the quieting drops and Parr said Mrs. Jones advises waking of her up directly and if it can't be done getting in a doctor to see her frightful fears suggested themselves to Marion as Mrs. Jones gave Parr's impressive advice and she turned Elphys face toward her and gently tried to awaken her it was not an easy thing to do but at last the heavy lids were lifted and with a little fretful cry Marion had never heard from her till the night before she had lifted her head up and looked around Marion is with you look, look dear, it is your own Marion can't you see me, don't you know me the child looked up at her sleepily a moment with neither wonder nor recognition in her eyes and then laid her head on the pillow and slept again and Oz a deep sleep recording by Farah Iftikar Chapter 33 of The Friendly Five this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Sylvie Roth The Friendly Five by Mary C. Hungerford Chapter 33 Marion is happy them tiger cats has got something to answer for Mrs. Jones said fiercely if they've given that poor lamb laudlem enough to hurt her there must be some antidote for it said Marion whose white lips trembled so with fear that she could hardly speak oh have a doctor if you will tell me whom to have surely he wouldn't tell anyone about Elphi asked him not to doctor Mitchell wouldn't tell anything we didn't want him to said Mrs. Jones but we'll try something ourselves first strong coffee is a good wake up I've heard tell so's ginger tea and foot baths but all of the home remedies failed to do much good Elphi waked frequently as they pursued their kindly efforts but took very little notice of anything once indeed as she sat on Mrs. Jones's lap with her feet in a basin of hot water she looked down at the little Jersey trousers that were part of her disguise she shuddered and moaned oh take those things off take them off then the lethargy overcame her again I am going over home said Mrs. Jones with tears in her eyes to bring in a little nightgown from the clothes I put away in a trunk when my little Sarah Jane died ten years ago it's homely in old fashioned but it's more decent for a little girl than pants in a jacket and then I guess I better have doctor Mitchell come in and take a look he's safe, safe and sure you needn't be feared of him the doctors coming to see a sick little girl cause no surprise to clerk and landlord for they supposed it was Mary and herself who the chambermaid had told them was ill and had sent for Mrs. Jones Marion liked doctor Mitchell at once there was something about the very tones of his voice that gave her confidence but she watched him anxiously as he carefully examined Elphie and asked a few questions which Marion was not afraid to answer although to account for the condition in which he found the child she was obliged to tell something of their experience for the last two days he was much interested and promised to find out for her what time Mrs. Abbott could arrive and he said Elphie was suffering from the combined effects of fright and the continuous administration of some anodyne she was very feverish and must be kept quiet he ordered some medicine and promised to come again in two hours she was less feverish when he made his second call and her sleep seemed more natural he told Marion it was very important that when she should recognise anyone her eyes should only rest upon familiar faces so Marion never for a moment left her chair by the bed or let go her clasp of the little hand good Mrs. Jones came and went spending all the time she could with them and bringing over on one of her visits attempting package of oranges and bananas there was a gentle knock at the door at nine o'clock and Marion, softly rising and unlocking it Mrs. Abbott's arms Candice was with her as she said herself rheumatism couldn't keep her back from her darling baby she went directly to the bedside and tears poured down her dark face as she looked at the pale little face she loved more than life she lifted her gently to her shoulders and sitting in the rocker began to rock and sing as if Elphie was a baby ooh la la baby dear ooh la la ooh la la Mammy's near over and over she sang the simple lullaby which was a song that she had hushed the child to sleep with every night of her babyhood and at the old familiar sound Elphie's eyelids fluttered then opened and looked into the honest loving black face above them murmuring Mammy, oh Mammy then with one or two long shuttering sighs she nestled down upon the cushiony shoulders Dr. Mitchell who was waiting for her downstairs followed Mrs. Abbott to the room he nodded his satisfaction as Elphie recognized her nurse and beckoning the others out of the room advised leaving her with Candice for the present she is safe he said long before her nerves recover from the great strain of the last few days the clerk at a hint for Mrs. Jones now came up with great politeness and offered Mrs. Abbott the room vacated by Madame Belody now my dear dear Marion she said as the happy girl followed her into the room tell me all about it but before Marion told one word of her adventurous journey she put the diminished package of bills in her hand with oh Mrs. Abbott it did seem so much like stealing to use your money my darling and the tears fell fast from Mrs. Abbott's eyes we owe you everything no money can ever pay you for saving our Elphie then Marion with her hands tightly clasped in her friends told all the story of her pursuit of the child it is wonderful wonderful said Mrs. Abbott when she had finished you have shown more sense and judgment than most older people possess and your bravery is beyond praise oh my dear how much you have undergone for that darling in the morning Elphie was still better and Mrs. Abbott went down with Marion to breakfast the latter being the object of intense interest for everyone in the house for wild reports of the story had gone about and Marion, without wishing it found herself famous in a small way Sally the smiling and rosy chambermaid laid various traps for enticing Candice downstairs so she might extract a fuller version of the story from her but if I never has a bit of food again said Candice solemnly I'll not let my lamb go from my sight till we get home the good news was telegraphed back to Coventry School with a demand for some of Elphie's clothes when the bag containing them came Elphie very white and weak was propped up in bed with pillows with her loving eyes fixed on Candice and listening as if she were not hearing it for the hundredth time to her repetition of water water quench fire fire fire burn stick stick stick beat dog etc she turned as the little dresses were taken from the bag exclaiming Elphie's own girly dresses oh Mammy Mammy they dressed Elphie like a boy they did not know till then that she had recovered the recollection of her experience with the Baloties but after that she talked freely about it and was told how Marion had been near her all the time but had not dared to let herself be seen poor Marion she said throwing her arms lovingly around her neck seeming to know by instinct how hard it must have been for Marion to refrain from letting her know she was near it was several days before Dr. Mitchell felt as if it was quite prudent for them to take Elphie home and when they went Mrs. Jones went to having been persuaded by Mrs. Abbott to give herself a week's vacation when the train stopped at Coventry only Miss Blake and Robert the man were on the platform to meet them and they were as calm as if Mrs. Abbott was only returning from an ordinary business trip such as she often took for in her letters she had begged that there should be nothing done that might cause Elphie any excitement but on the side piazza of the station keeping well out of sight was nearly every girl who attended the school Miss Blake after seeing the others into the cariol brought Marion around to the expectant crowd who surrounded her with cries of enthusiastic delight the story had been very sketchily told in a letter from Mrs. Abbott and all the way home the girls were clamorous for more particulars which Marion was very modest about giving but her reserve did not matter so much for the moment for the others were beginning to tell her of their own hate and distress about Elphie tell me said Marion so softly that no one hurt her but Lily and Katie who were walking with their arms around her did anyone think I had run away with Mrs. Abbott's money no indeed exclaimed the girls in the same breath except Edna that troubled me terribly said Marion I was so afraid of being suspected of dishonesty what nonsense said Lily why Mrs. Abbott told us it was the greatest comfort to know you had the money but why did Edna think I was so wicked I suppose because she's so mean herself said Lily and you see she was so dreadfully blamed by everybody for taking Elphie out of the gate that she wanted to make it appear that other girls would do wicked things as well as she could she wasn't the only one to blame for going out of the gate said Katie sorrowfully no indeed and we all insisted on sharing the blame with her as we ought to oh Marion it was heartbreaking to see Candice's agony and Mrs. Abbott kept saying what shall I say to her grandfather it was an awful house here I can tell you I wouldn't live through the fright and worry again for the world Mrs. Abbott has decided now not to tell Mr. Bellamy anything about it till he comes home hasn't she said Marion yes she thinks that is best said Katie because it's all right now but Marion you should have seen Candice when that queer telegram came from a manning who in the world is it we thought maybe you were somewhere under an assumed name I'll tell you all about it by and by but what did Candice say she fell on her knees in the schoolroom and clasped her arms just as if she were holding Elfie in them lord lord let old Candice see her lamby again before she dies but after that she sat on the bottom step of the front door waiting for another telegram that evening Mrs. Abbott understanding and fully appreciating Marion's shrinking from publicity set her to sit with Elfie while she gave the whole family a graphic account of the pursuit and rescue being aided and abetted by Mrs. Jones who is becoming a great favourite with the girls and then there was something for Mrs. Abbott to hear during her absence Edna had telegraphed to her mother that she was sick and wanted to be sent for this was not known to anyone at the time but her older sister who came for her the next day told Miss Blake of it certainly Edna was not very well for fright and the fear of punishment had taken away her appetite and brought on a prostrating headache so she was permitted to go home with her sister and hardly had Miss Blake made this explanation to Mrs. Abbott when a letter came from Mrs. Tryon in which after stating that Edna appeared to have malaria for which her family physician prescribed a change of scene she had decided not to allow her to return to school at least for the present but take her with her to Europe and if her stay there was prolonged place her in an English school there was a great feeling of relief in Mrs. Abbott's mind as she read Mrs. Tryon's letter for she knew she should have to punish Edna by expulsion or in some very marked way and she was not sorry to have it taken out of her hands but the PS amused her very much PS hearing that you are far from particular about the social standings of your young ladies I have less regret in removing my daughter than if you only kept aristocratic scholars for I am very particular about my children's associates she handed the letter to Miss Blake who read it with indignation and then supposing she was expected to do so although Mrs. Abbott had not intended it passed it on to Mrs. Jones I declare said that lady when after some struggling with her spectacles she had mastered the contents and read the signature Mrs. BJ Tryon Belindi Jones Tryon is coming on I guess she forgets when her mother kept a bake shop and she had to carry around roles for customers breakfasts and her brother that's my husband was proud to be earning money getting out of bed at four o'clock to go around selling newspapers he ain't ashamed of his folks poverty his sister is and she's ashamed of owning them too there was an immense sensation then when some well directed questions brought out the fact that the lofty-minded mother of their elegant high-born Edna was really the sister-in-law of plain Mrs. Jones the restaurant keeper and Edna herself was her niece although it was quite possible that the knowledge had been kept from the young lady for Mrs. Jones told them that long ago Mrs. Tryon had given up all association with her family when the worthy young carpenter who had married her for her pretty face by some lucky chance was taken into a building firm and found himself on the way to make his fortune the girls had promised themselves much fun in humbling Edna's pride and were disappointed on finding that she would not return not even said Mrs. Abbott if the English school be abandoned and her mother make an application here I am sorry that she ever came here even if she had not brought upon us the misfortune of losing Elphie I should deeply regret the influence she has exerted over some of my scholars some too whom I suppose firm enough in their principles not to be betrayed into violating them that was the only reproof Mrs. Abbott ever gave to those whose folly had helped to make much trouble she had thought over the matter and talked over it with the teachers and it seemed to her that by their distress at the evil consequences that had followed their wrongdoing they were already sorely punished it was many months before Elphie entirely recovered from the nervous shock she had suffered and came among the girls again Candace could never be induced to trust her out of her sight except with Marion if that their rumities goes and curls me up like a whip snake she said it shat hinder me crawling round after that Lambie it may be said in passing that the blue Tama shanter became so interesting to the girls after hearing the share Miss Manning had in helping that many of the girls wanted them and when Marion wrote according to promise to tell that friendly lady the sequel to her journey she had the pleasure of encouraging the church organ scheme by ordering six blue and as many red caps End of Chapter 33 Recording by Sylvie Roth by Mary C. Hungerford Chapter 34 A whole year had passed since Mr. Bellamy had made the memorable address to the Coventry School in which he offered a prize of $300 to the most deserving he had come from England as the whole school knew by his telegram to Mrs. Abbott but business detained him in New York for a few days as they also learned from the same source now he had come and for hours had been shut in the parlor with Mrs. Abbott, Elfie and Candice hearing the girls all supposed the history of that year which had brought danger and such blessed deliverance from it to his grandchild there was very little to do but wait for foreseeing the occupation of her time today Mrs. Abbott had yesterday read the reports given the averages made her little preach and attended to all the few ceremonies of school closing they also serve who only stand and wait I have understood said Lily but I don't believe I like to be a server to wait is to conquer quoted Katie from the Commonplace book conquer what I wonder asked Lily not the prize for all of us are waiting and there is only one prize what do you think you conquer by waiting Marion asked Miss Blake of the girl who had been showing no impatience but busied herself working on a new strip of modern lace I suppose said Marion thoughtfully by exercising patience we conquer our own restless spirits now Marion said Lily in a despairing tone you're going to turn goody goody I know you are you'll live to be a female exhorter or something horrid of that sort if you get off such solemn sentences as that extemporate and you're a hollow youth just think of it but reflect on what for though I love you to distraction now my affection is not proof against preaching so don't I beseech you show symptoms of it for answer Marion fired a big airfield ball of Elfies at her as a convincing proof that she was not utterly given over to solemnity and Lily gaily returning the throw the two were soon so deeply engaged in a riotous game that Mr Bellamy stood smiling at them in the door for some minutes before they saw him the general confusion which was allowable because school had virtually closed the day before being instantly quieted Mr Bellamy took his place on the platform and looking kindly down on the bright young faces upturned to him said you will remember me I think and give me credit for keeping my engagement it is just one year since I spoke to you before and offered a prize in memory of my daughter here he laid upon the table a long envelope this he said contains a check for three hundred dollars with a blank yet to be filled in what name is to fill the blank is indicated by the words upon the envelope for the most deserving and who that title describes I'm going to leave you to decide my little Elfie will hand you each a slip of paper upon which I beg you to write the name of the one whom you individually think most worthy of the prize according to your own estimation of the word deserving Elfie skipped around with the slips of paper and after ten minutes which were spent by her grandfather and Mrs Abbott in earnest low tone conversation she re-gathered the paper slips in a little covered basket each girl folding her paper so that the writing was concealed now we're at one for Elfie said the child because we can't write and we both want the same girl to get the money it was not easy to make her understand that none but pupils were allowed to vote and she was so far from being convinced that she slipped two papers in with the others which she had scribbled some hieroglyphics which she understood herself if no one else could there were thirty papers to examine for the ten day scholars were also included in the competition upon examination twenty-two to bear the name of Marian Stabs her face was scarlet as she went up at a sign for Mrs Abbott to receive the envelope Mr Bellamy having put her name on the check it was in her mind to tell him that she did not feel deserving of such good fortune for aside from the pleasure of being chosen by the majority of her schoolmates the money meant more to Marian than it would to any other girl in the school it meant added comforts for the delicate mother and the little brothers and sisters and some independence of feeling in regard to her own clothes which through the year had been provided by Mrs Abbott she longed to say something of her pleasure and gratitude but not one word with her trembling lips utter and Elphys don't cry Marian as she threw her arms around her broke down her composure and with the child in her arms then out of the room slowly followed by Candice whose dark face was lit up with profound satisfaction in fact Candice's delight led her into unusual irregularity of conduct for turning as she was leaving the room she said I think them young ladies is the right sort this term and old Mammy she thanks them from the bottom of her heart then with the dignity that would have become the queen she bore old Candice bowed low and followed her darling and now said Mrs Abbott I will read you with her permission a letter that Marian received today I hope it will give you as much pleasure as it has given me Dear Marriott I think you will be surprised to get a letter from me after the bad treatment I gave you but I have been very sick in Rome and for a long time doctors gave my mother no hope that I would live I've had a long time to think about everything since I have been slowly getting better and everything looks very different to me one night when I was very sick I thought I saw you crying all alone in your room because I had made fun of you and been so unkind and I dreamed little Elfie was hanging over a deep pit and I was holding her from falling but I could not pull her out because I had not asked you to forgive me for the treatment that dream came back to me night after night it was terrible for I was always so afraid I should let Elfie drop the cold perspiration used to break out all over me and I would wake screaming then I would wish oh so hard that I could ask your forgiveness and now I am writing this letter a little at a time for I am very weak to ask you if you can ever forgive me I have told my mother all about Elfie and how it was my fault and how you saved her and though she tried not to have me blame myself so much I know she feels very sorry I was so bad for mama seems very different since I was so sick ever so much nicer and she has written to Tiffany in New York just to have them send you a watch and chain just like mine Dear Marion will you say you forgive me your friend and now most of the girls were crying when the letter was finished for there were few who had not helped to make Marion's life among them very miserable when she was a new scholar and loving her as they did now it was a very bitter memory to a story that is told should there be anything more added from a critical point of view after lastly there should be no in conclusion but the readers who have been interested in Marion will be glad to hear that Mr. Bellamy whose gratitude was as unbounded as means were ample seeing the love his grandchild bore to her legally adopted Marion and provided a yearly income for her mother so that it was no longer necessary for her to look forward to teaching as a means for supporting them to be Elfie's elder sister her loving guide and steadfast friend is Marion Bellamy's pleasure and the traits which made her lovable are not dimmed by the love and luxury with which she is surrounded End of Chapter 34 Recording by Sage Turtle T-Y-R-T-L-E .com End of The Friendly Five by Mary C. Hungerford