Page:The adventures of Ann; stories of colonial times.djvu/81

Rh Out of the pew darted Ann, like a red robin her self, her red cloak flying back, crowding nimbly past the others, across the aisle to John Penniman.

"Somebody's stealing Red Robin, John," said she in a clear whisper. They heard it for several pews around. Up sprang the pewful of staunch Penniman’s, father and sons, and made for the door in a great rush after John, who was out before the whisper had much more than left Ann's lips.

The alarm spread; other men went too. The minister paused, and the women waited. Finally the men returned, all but a few who were detailed to watch the horses through the remainder of the services, and the meeting proceeded.

Phineas sent the whisper along the pew, that John had got out in time to save Red Robin; but the robber had escaped. Somehow, he had taken alarm before John got there. Red Robin was standing in the stable untied ; but the robber had disappeared.

After meeting the people all came and questioned Ann. "He was a very tall man, in a gray cloak," said she. "He turned his face, or I saw