here?”

Bob also knew the woman at a glance. She was called Simple Mary. Some years before, her husband and child had been drowned in a great storm on Rainbow Lake. The shock drove the poor creature out of her mind.

Since then she had had frequent spells, when the authorities had to shut her up in an asylum. Then she would be very quiet for weeks at a time, when she would roam about the country. Some kind-hearted people always gave her work or shelter.

Bob held his breath, for it was quite startling to see Mary waving the scissors. Her eyes looked wild, and she was not in one of her quiet moods, that was certain.

“I’ve been here hiding in the storeroom since before school,” began Mary, with a sly laugh.

“Why, what for?” asked Miss Williams.

[25]

[25]

“To wait for you.”

“For me, Mary?” said the teacher, as calmly as she could.

“Yes, ma’am. You see, I expect my little child home to-night. You know, she has been away at school for nearly four years.”

“Indeed, Mary,” replied Miss Williams, humoring the delusion of the poor mother. “That will be very nice, indeed.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m making her a beautiful doll, and I need some hair for its head. You have got such lovely hair, I want it. Now, if you hold still I won’t hurt you, but if you don’t I will have to stick you.”

Mary’s eyes glared as she said this. Miss Williams was very much frightened, but she sat perfectly still.

“If you will come home with me, Mary, I will give you some hair I have that was cut off when I was sick.”

“No, ma’am, I want this hair,” replied Mary, stubbornly. “Oh, how pretty it will look on the doll!” she cried.

Bob made up his mind that it was time for him to act. He saw that the witless woman would either cut off Miss Williams’ hair, or hurt her with the scissors.

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