One of the boys seized the pole and rushed off in the darkness.
Miss Leece, in effigy, had been kidnapped in an instant, before David and his friends had had time to realize what had happened.
"Which way did they go ?" he asked breathlessly.
"Through the thicket," cried Grace.
And the whole crowd dashed after the kidnappers.

It was great fun for everybody except Anne, who was too tired to keep up the chase for long, and was soon lagging behind the others.

David saw her and turned back.
"You are too little for all this junketing, Anne," he said kindly.
"Suppose I take you home?
Shall I ?" "I wish you would, David," answered the girl.

"I'm just about ready to drop, I'm so tired." Taking her arm, he helped her over the ruts and rough places, until they finally emerged from the wood and started on the road to town.
There were many other Hallowe'en parties out that night; singing and laughing was heard in every direction.
"It's like a play," said Anne, "only everything is behind the scenes.
Don't think I haven't enjoyed it, David, just because I got tired.

I never played with boys and girls of my own age before.