Page:Margaret Sherwood--A Puritan in Bohemia.djvu/39

A Puritan Bohemia sailor uncle to Switzerland and Greenland and Iceland and Africa and New Jersey!"

"Indeed!" said Miss Wistar gravely.

"We went past Asia too, but we didn't stop to Asia."

"That's Annabel," explained Anne, after the child had gone. "Her real name is Sarah Orr. She insists on Annabel because it is romantic. She is the mainstay of an entire family. It is 'personally conducted' by Annabel. She's one of the most interesting characters in Bohemia."

"Why does she tell such queer tales?"

"That's genius. It is Annabel's way of escaping from her hard world. Her imagination has been fed by geography and a few stray books. She lies with such accuracy and precision that she would deceive the very elect. Sometimes she tells the truth, and that complicates things. She never lies about business matters."

Miss Bradford lingered on the threshold.

"It is rather strange that Mr. Stanton should come here to work just now," she said.