"I didn't go on the journey," said Elizabeth; "and David wouldn't stay at home with me; he liked Blair and Nannie better 'an me. He hurt my feelings; so pretty soon right away I got mad--mad--mad--to think he wouldn't stay with me. I always get mad if my feelings are hurt, and David Richie is always hurting 'em. I despise him for making me mad! I despise him for treating me so--_hideous_! And so I took a hate to my shoes." The ensuing explanation sent Miss White, breathless, to tell Mrs. Richie; but Mrs. Richie was not at home. When David did not appear that afternoon after school, Mrs. Richie was disturbed. By three o'clock she was uneasy; but it was nearly five before the quiver of apprehension grew into positive fright; then she put on her things and walked down to the Maitland house. "Is David here?" she demanded when Harris answered her ring; "please go up-stairs and look, Harris; they may be playing in the nursery. I am worried." Harris shuffled off, and Mrs. Richie, following him to the foot of the stairs, stood there gripping the newel-post. "They ain't here," Harris announced from the top landing. Mrs. Richie sank down on the lowest step. "Harris!" some one called peremptorily, and she turned to see Robert Ferguson coming out of the dining-room: "Oh, you're here, Mrs. Richie? I suppose you are on David's track. I thought Harris might have some clue. I came down to tell Mrs. Maitland all we could wring from Elizabeth." Before she could ask what he meant, Blair's mother joined them. "I haven't a doubt they are playing in the orchard," she said. "No, they're not," her superintendent contradicted; "Elizabeth says they were going to 'travel'; but that's all we could get out of her." "'Travel'! Oh, what does she mean?" Mrs. Richie said; "I'm so frightened!" "What's the use of being frightened?" Mrs. Maitland asked, curiously; "it won't bring them back if they are lost, will it?" Robert Ferguson knocked his glasses off fiercely. "They couldn't be lost in Mercer," he reassured David's mother. "Well, whether they've run away or not, come into my room and talk about it like a sensible woman," said Mrs. Maitland; "what's the use of sitting on the stairs? Women have such a way of sitting on stairs when things go wrong! Suppose they are lost. What harm's done? They'll turn up. Come!" Mrs. Richie came. Everybody "came" or went, or stood still, when Mrs. Maitland said the word! And though not commanded, Mr. Ferguson came too.