Presently they met a boy, who evidently noticed nothing unusual, for he leaped past, whistling.
"Thank the Lord it isn't far," muttered Meeks, wiping his forehead.
"It's d--n hot." Lucy walked on quite rapidly after awhile.

They were nearly in sight of her home when Mrs.Ayres met them.

She was almost running, and was pale and out of breath.
"Lucy," she began, "where-- ?" Then she realized that Meeks and Henry were with the girl.
"Henry, you just keep an eye on her," said Meeks.

Then he spoke to Mrs.Ayres with old-fashioned ceremony.

"Madam," he said, "will you be so kind as to step aside?
I have a word I would like to say to you." Mrs.Ayres, with a scared glance at Lucy, complied.
"Just this way a moment," he said.