Nan--Nan--No! not Nancy."
"Nantes?"
"Yes, uncle. Nantes. That's it."
"When you get to Nantes, then, you may tell your friends about seeing
me."
Through the fog a policeman loomed in view, coming leisurely down the
quiet street.
"I must go," Mr. Mayo said hurriedly. "Good-by, Nancy pet."
Anne caught his hand in both of hers. "Oh, uncle!" she cried. "Don't go.
I want you. I want to go with you."
"Dear little one! What a fool I was! oh, what a fool! Good-by!"
He kissed her and was gone. Anne stood motionless, silent, looking after
him as he hurried down a by-street.
"Did 'ee beg off you, my little leddy?" asked the friendly policeman, as
he came up. "'As that dirty fellow frighted you?"
"Oh, no. He didn't beg. I am not frightened," Anne answered quickly.
"I'm going home now."
"If so be folks worrit you on the streets, a'lays holler for a cop,"
said the guardian of the peace. "We'll take care of you. That's what
we're here for. And I've chillen of me own and a'lays look out
partic'lar for the little ones."
"Thank you, thank you! Good-by."
Anne's disturbed looks would have excited comment, had her friends not
been occupied with troubles of their own.
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