TURNED ADRIFT 281

street, when a girl came out of the western gate, and with
her hand above her eyes looked after them. She seemed
in doubt, but looked again, quite searchingly. Then, as
one who is not sure, but does not wish to miss a chance,
called out, “Nick Attwood! Nick Attwood!”

Cicely looked back to see who called. She did not know
the girl, but saw her beckon. “There is some one calling,
Nick,” said she.

Nick stopped in a hopeless sort of way, and looked back
down the street.

When he had turned so that the girl at the gate could
see his face, she left the gate wide open behind her, and
came running quickly up the street after them. As she
drew nearer he saw that it was Susanna Shakspere, though
she was very much grown since he had seen her last. He
watched her running after them as if it were none of his
affair. But when she had caught up with them, she took
him by the shoulder smartly and drew him back toward
the gate. “Why, Nicholas Attwood,” she cried, all out of
breath, “come straightway into the house with me. My
father hath been hunting after thee the whole way up from
London town!”