Did the men steal the papers?" Range asked, fearing her response. No, because they are fools," Sophie said bitterly. "They demanded to see the papers, and when I did not answer fast enough -- they were very frightening, you see -- they hurt me so that I was not awake. . . . When I opened my eyes they were still trying to find the papers. They did not understand how we organize the library, you see. They were angry and creating a bad mess. . . . The police were coming, and the men decided they must leave. I shouted at them as they left: 'It is a free and public library! All you had to do was ask!

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey