“Luretta! Luretta!” called Mrs. Foster; and Luretta with a hurried whisper: “Oh, Anna! I haven’t her things. Don’t say a word about Melvina,” vanished into the house.
“Come, Anna,” called Rebecca reprovingly. “Father will come to look for us if you do not hasten. Why did not Luretta give you back your shoes and stockings?” she asked as Anna came slowly down the path. “It’s a stupid game for her to keep them, I will say;” and she put a protecting arm across her sister’s shoulder. “But do not feel bad, Dan, dear; she will bring them over before bedtime, if the storm holds off; and Mother has made a fine molasses cake for supper.” But Anna made no response.
“Oh! Here comes the minister. Keep a little behind me, Dan, and he may not notice your bare feet,” exclaimed Rebecca.
Usually the Reverend Mr. Lyon was very ceremonious in his greeting to the children of the parish; but to-night he wasted no time in salutations.
“Have you seen Melvina?” he asked anxiously. “She left home early this afternoon to visit at Captain Horton’s and did not appear there at all; nor can we find trace of her.”
“No, sir,” responded Rebecca. “I have but come to fetch my sister home from Mr. Foster’s, and have seen naught of Melvina.”
Mr. Lyon turned and hurried back toward the main path, where London Atus was inquiring at every house if anyone had seen his little mistress; but no one had news of her.
“What can have befallen Melvina Lyon? And there’s a storm coming up. I do hope no harm has come to her,” said Rebecca, as she hurried Anna along the path.
“Oh, Rebby! It mustn’t storm!” exclaimed Anna.
“’Twill only postpone Father’s trip to the forest, Dan,” said Rebby; “but look at those black clouds. ’Twill surely be a tempest. I hope we’ll reach home before it breaks,” and she started to run, pulling Anna along with her.