"Because I dislike gossip," Mrs. Page snapped. "When he comes all the village will know it; that will be soon enough." "Yes, grandmother." Janet left the room, but she forgot to tell Martha not to make so much noise. The house was unbearable, and she decided that even if she could not share her secret with Mrs. Todd, it would be a comfort to go and see her and talk about the Enchanted Kingdom. She was hardly on her way with the idea fixed in her mind when she heard horse's hoofs coming toward, and after a minute she saw Mrs. Todd in her carriage. She stopped her horse at sight of Janet, and beckoned to her. Janet jumped in beside her. "I was just coming to see you," she said. "Have you been over to your house this morning!" Mrs. Todd was plainly upset about something. She was frowning, and there was not a spark of fun in her eyes. "No, child, I haven't," she answered. "I went over to find Peter early this morning, and the Blunts told me he had gone away. They said he had told them that he was going west and that he could not leave any address, but he left a letter addressed to Dr. Peabody in Boston. Now I happen to know Jack Peabody. He was a very dear friend of my husband. Of course I haven't seen him in years but I am going up to Boston this afternoon and give him Peter's letter, and between us we ought to be able to find the boy. It's dreadful to think of his hunting for work and with no money." "I think it's splendid," Janet said shyly. "That's because you are a silly, romantic child with your head full of story-book nonsense," Mrs. Todd said briskly. "What I wanted to see you about was to ask you if that foolish boy gave you any hint as to where he was going." "No, indeed, he didn't," Janet said. "I didn't even dream he was going. Oh, Mrs. Todd, do you think you really can find him!" she asked suddenly. "There, there, child, don't worry your head about it," Mrs. Todd comforted. "Of course we can. Peter's hair is too red to allow him to run away unnoticed." Janet tried to smile, but it was difficult. The more she thought of Peter's going, the more she realized how much she would miss him, and half the joy in her brother's return was lost when she realized that she could not introduce him to Peter. "Do you think you could manage Clinker,"--Mrs. Todd was speaking--"if you do I wish you would drive over to Simpsons' this afternoon and give him a letter for me." "Why, I think I could drive him," Janet replied. "I'll just let him walk and I'll be awfully careful of him." "Very well, then, that's settled." Mrs. Todd spoke with her usual briskness, and a little of the laughter returned to her eyes as she added, "It will be a sorry dose for our friend the ex-sheriff, but I think it will do him good." CHAPTER XI ANOTHER LETTER