Besides that, something else was in his mind—there always was before he had been five minutes in the house if Elsie did not make her appearance.
He shuffled about, answered Elizabeth's questions haltingly, and at last burst out:
"Where is the little fairy—has she gone out, too?"
"Elsie, do you mean?"
"Who else, of course? Where is she?"
"Up in her room, I fancy," replied Elizabeth.
"I don't see how you can bear her out of your sight for an instant," cried Tom; "I'm sure I couldn't if I lived in the house with her."
"Nonsense, Tom!"
"There is no nonsense about it; it's just the truth."
Several times Elizabeth had attempted to point out to him the folly of going on in his old insane fashion, but either he would not listen or something interrupted their conversation. Now she determined to take advantage of the present opportunity and speak seriously with him.