In her place stood Charlie Fitts, the boy who had met Ida in the cars.
"How are you, Charlie ?" said Jack, trying not to look disappointed.
"Come in and tell us all the news." "Well," said Charlie, "I don't know of any.

I suppose Ida has got home ?" "No," answered Jack; "we expected her to-night, but she hasn't come yet." "She told me she expected to come back to-day." "What! have you seen her ?" exclaimed all, in chorus.
"Yes; I saw her yesterday noon." "Where ?" "Why, in the cars," answered Charlie.
"What cars ?" asked the cooper.
"Why, the Philadelphia cars.

Of course you knew it was there she was going ?" "Philadelphia!" exclaimed all, in surprise.
"Yes, the cars were almost there when I saw her.

Who was that with her ?" "Mrs.Hardwick, her old nurse." "I didn't like her looks." "That's where we paddle in the same canoe," said Jack.
"She didn't seem to want me to speak to Ida," continued Charlie, "but hurried her off as quick as possible." "There were reasons for that," said the cooper.

"She wanted to keep her destination secret." "I don't know what it was," said the boy, "but I don't like the woman's looks.".