Page:Harvey O'Higgins--Silent Sam and other stories.djvu/325

Rh with horror on the window-sill. "Who 's that?" she said. "Good-evenin', sir," she smiled. "Yeh 're late with the groc'ries." She got no answer. "Look at 'im, Mary," she said fearfully, and put her hand up to her eyes, and peered at him through her fingers. "He glowers at me so."

"Aw, now," the cook pleaded. "Aw, now, Annie gurl. Don't be takin' on. 'T is Mister Beatty from the top floor, an' what 'll he be thinkin' of yeh talkin' such like foolishness." She whispered: "Have wit, child. Put down yer hands. Listen to me. Listen. They 'll be takin' y' away. They 'll shut y' up in Bellevue fer mad. Have yeh no sinse lift?"

Beatty had risen heavy-kneed and stumbled to the basement door. "I 'll bring—I 'll bring the doctor," he stammered, and ran in for his hat.

The cook had not heard him, but when she looked around she knew what had happened, and she jumped up in a panic. "Quick! Quick," she cried. "They 're comin';" and fell on her knees to gather up the scattered money in her apron. "Go to bed, gurl! Ach, Annie, Annie," she cried despairingly.

Annie was rocking in the chair, crooning and talking to herself. The cook caught her by the arm, pulled her to her feet and hurried her indoors. "Whist! Whist! " she pleaded. "Quit yer nonsinse, Annie. Ah, quit it—quit it! Wud yeh let yerself be taken to the madhouse? Ah, God ha' mercy—"

She hurried the girl indoors; and she had her in bed and frightened into silence when Beatty returned with