She knew most of the village people by this time and the thought of company was not unpleasant.

So she paused and pantingly waited for whoever was coming.
She could not see more than a few yards, but the footsteps sounded nearer and nearer, and, a moment later, a man's voice began singing "Annie Rooney," a melody then past its prime in the cities, but popularized in Bayport by some departed batch of summer boarders.
She did not recognize the voice and she did not particularly approve of singing in the streets, especially such loud singing.

So she decided not to wait longer, and was turning to continue her climb, when the person behind stopped his vocalizing and called.
"Hi!" he shouted.

"Hello, ahead there! Who is it?
Hold on a minute, pard! I'm comin'." She disobeyed the order to "hold on," and began to hurry.

The hurry was of no avail, however, for the follower broke into a run and soon was by her side.