"Oh, Captain Hoyt! Take me home! Oh,
please sir, wont you take me home?"
"Home, chick-a-biddy? Why, who--little Nan Verling, I declare! Well,
if it isn't lucky that I didn't sell my apples till late to-day, and am
just going out! How in the world did you get there?"
"I lost my way," faltered Nannie, trying hard to conquer her tears when
she was safely in the wagon. "I came to buy a bandana handkerchief for
Aunt S'mantha."
"Bandana? Well, she'll need it, and a few cambric ones thrown in, if
she don't know where you are at this time of night," declared the
captain, whipping up his horses.
He was quite right; Miss Samantha was nearly frantic. She had sent to
every house in the village, and had learned from Tommy how her love of
neatness and carelessly expressed desire for bananas had together
worked mischief. But as a visit to the store revealed the fact that
Nannie had been there and had gone, Miss Samantha could think of
nothing but that most improbable resort,--the pond; and she had
gathered a party with ropes and lanterns, when Captain Hoyt drove up
and deposited the small maiden in their midst.
"I've got the handkerchief, Aunt S'mantha! and I'm so glad; but my
clothes are all spoiled, and I'm so sorry," began Nannie.
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