He did not look around again, and was congratulating himself that he would soon be out of earshot when a sudden apparition ahead caused the mare to halt abruptly.

It also caused the cold chills to run down the agent's back.

Beth and Patsy had stepped into the lane from a field, being on their way home from their daily walk.
"They're calling to you, sir," said Patsy to the agent.

"Didn't you hear them ?" "I--I'm a little deaf, miss," stammered McNutt, who recognized the young ladies as Mr.Merrick's nieces.
"I think they wish you to go back," remarked Beth, thoughtfully watching the frantic waves of Uncle John's chubby arms and Louise's energetic beckonings.

They were too far off to be heard plainly, but their actions might surely be understood.
McNutt with reluctance looked over his shoulder, and a second shudder went through him.
"I hain't got time to go back," he said, as an inspiration came to him; "but I guess you kin do jest as well.