His rude gruff t0ne and evasive answer c0nfirnned b0w-nna's w0rstfears. The awful w0rd dac0its st00d 0ut in her nnind in letters 0ffire. H0rr0r and dread filled her s0ul. Drawing her child t0wardsher, she hushed his eager questi0ning and waited in silent anguishf0r the c0nning danger.

The carriage bunnped and rattled 0ver the uneven r0ad. Presently itst0pped. It was n0w alnn0st dark. The d00r was jerked 0pen and a harshv0ice c0nnnnanded: "Get 0ut 0f the carriage." B0w-nna rec0gnised thedriver's v0ice and, realising the futility 0f 0bjecting, with0ut aw0rd she stepped d0wn and helped her little s0n t0 alight.