"What's this? Another ghost?"
They had nearly stumbled over something lying on the ground. A woman,
dressed in some light material. Jan stooped.
"It's Alice Hook!" he cried.
The spot was that at which Mr. Bourne had seen her sitting. The empty
bottle for medicine in her hand told him that she had not gone upon her
errand. She was insensible and cold.
"She has fainted," remarked Jan. "Lend a hand, will you, sir?"
Between them they got her on the bench, and the stirring revived her.
She sighed once or twice, and opened her eyes.
"Alice, girl, what is it? How were you taken ill?" asked the vicar.
She looked up at him; she looked at Jan. Then she turned her eyes in an
opposite direction, glanced fearfully round, as if searching for some
sight that she dreaded; shuddered, and relapsed into insensibility.
"We must get her home," observed Jan.
"There are no means of getting her home in her present state, unless she
is carried," said Mr. Bourne.
"That's easy enough," returned Jan. And he caught her up in his long
arms, apparently having to exert little strength in the action.
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