"No; wait, Annie. You have been often enough, my child. Give it to me."
Mr. Wilmot moved towards her, and at the same instant the loud chorus of cries and yells which had startled Archie broke upon him and Annie.
"Something must be the matter," Annie said.
Mr. Wilmot listened intently, moving closer to the gate. Annie followed him. Suddenly words were distinguishable. Mr. Wilmot turned to his daughter.
"Annie, go indoors at once."
He spoke in a quiet voice, but resolutely. Annie hesitated. She had not caught the words which had reached his ear; yet something in his look, combined with those wild shouts, alarmed her.
"What is it?" she began to say.
"You hear me, Annie! Go indoors this instant, and close the door. This instant: go!"
Never in his life had he spoken so sternly to his darling. Annie turned at once to obey. She believed that he knew something to be drawing near which he did not deem it right or proper for her to see.
Mr. Wilmot looked after her till she had passed into the house. Then he stepped out into the road.