Free Octagon Magic by Andre Norton

We're from Canal Town, we ain't big house folks. I'll do for Phebe, never no mind from you, missy. Come on, Phebe, we'll jus’ move on a bit.”
    “Phin, I can't. My foot hurts so. I jus’ can't! You—maybe you better run for it. Matt, he said he'd take th’ horse whip to you, ‘member? Oh, Phin, you jus’ cut along. Missy, Matt he wants Phin to work for him. Only Phin, he thought we might jus’ find some movers goin’ west and maybe hide in a wagon—or somethin’.”
    “Spill it all now, will you, girl? Anyway, I has nowheres to go without you, Phebe. I keeps my promises. Ain't I always?”
    “Then if you want Phebe to be safe, you'll come with me.”
    “An’ why, missy? Why would you care?”
    “I do.”
    She did, Lorrie knew that for the truth. Perhaps the boy recognized it also.
    “Please, Phin.”
    “All right. Maybe I believe her, but there's other folks in that there ol’ house an’ they maybe ain't feelin’ th’ same way. Specially as how I helped myself pretty free to some o’ their vittles a short while back.”
    “No one needs to know about you and Phebe. You'll be safe.”
    “What'd you mean, missy? You gonna fix us so no one kin see us, like we is ghosts or somethin’ like?”
    “Not that, Phin,” Lotta answered. “But I do know of a safe place, at least for tonight. And it is wanner and dryer than under this bridge.”
    “Phin?” There was a pleading note in Phebe's voice.
    “It ain't safe, I tell you.”
    “Please, Phin. She says it is. An'—an’ I believe her, Phin.”
    “'Cause you want to!” he flared up. “'Cause you're cold an’ hungry an’ you want to! Ain't I told you a hundred times, it don't do no one any good to believe nothin’ ner nobody?”
    “I do her, Phin, somehow I do.”
    “All right. But I don't! You hear that, missy? I don't believe, an’ I'll be watchin’ for any tricks.”
    “Fair enough. Now help me, Phin.”
    They came down the road again, Lotta, with her arm around a much smaller girl wearing a torn dress and with feet as bare as Phin's. She limped along slowly, though Phin and Lotta supported her more and more as they reached thegate. Again they made the journey around the house. This time they did not go as far as the kitchen, but instead to the window of the doll-house room.
    Lorrie heard them whispering together and then saw Phin push at the window. When he had it open he helped Lotta over the sill, and a moment later they had boosted Phebe through. Lorrie moved in closer. She could see them all inside. Phebe was squatting on the floor as if she did not have the strength to stand, and Phin was staring about him warily, a scowl on his face, as if he believed he was in a trap.
    Lotta had gone to the side by the window, out of Lorrie's sight. Then Phin exclaimed aloud in surprise.
    “What's that there? A cupboard?”
    “Bigger than a cupboard,” Lotta answered him. “It's a safe hiding place for now.”
    He strode forward, also to disappear from Lorrie's sight.
    “A trap—maybe jus’ a trap—” She could still hear his voice.
    “Please.” Phebe raised her head to look as Lotta. “I don't believe it, I don't believe you is goin’ to send us back, missy. We ain't no kin to Matt. Jus’ like Phin's no real kinfolk to me neither. Only he stood up to Matt when I got coughin’ sick an’ the shakes. An’ Matt, he beat up Phin ‘cause he traded some corn for medicine. Then Matt says he'd see I go to the pore farm. An’ Phin says never, no to that an’ we'd run. But we ain't far away and Matt he'll be after Phin does he stay here.” She coughed, her thin body shaking with the effort.
    Phin stepped back where Lorrie could see him again. “You ain't got th’ little sense you was borned with, Phebe. Little missy here, she ain't a-carin’ ‘bout all that. MaybeMatt's got a poster out on me—Phineas McLean—ten shillin's reward—or th’ like, but that ain't sayin’ as how he'll ever lay his belt on me agin. ‘Less missy here