“We left him by the creek, Ma, playing in the sand,” was the reply. “When Betty and me tried to make him come in he slapped us.”
“Go and bring him now, so you can renovate his appearance before supper,” directed the mother.
Maria, accompanied by Betty, repaired to the spot where they had left the little boy. He was not there. In vain they shouted and called his name.
“He must have gone to Clarence in the barn,” concluded Maria, setting off at a run.
Clarence, however, when questioned, declared, “I haven’t seen the little shaver since dinner.”
Maria now began to get alarmed, and her anxiety being communicated to Clarence and Betty, the three young people set off in a combined search.
Still no St. Elmo. They proceeded a considerable distance down the creek.
“Look he’s been here,” said Betty, pointing to a small footprint in the moist soil, “An’ he’s headed down the crick.”
“We’ll have to go and tell Ma,” said Maria.
As they neared the house with their disquieting news, Mr. Wopp and Moses were just alighting from the democrat, while Mrs. Mifsud at the open door stood calling out cheery greetings.