"Hold on," he said, good-naturedly. "We won't quarrel about it. Just tell us where the child is to be found."
"I ain't seen her for four days and nights, that I haven't," declared the woman.
That was all there was to be got out of her. Nan and her friends went away, much troubled. They went again to Mother Beasley's to inquire, with like result. When they told that kind but careworn woman what the child's aunt had said, she shook her head and spoke lugubriously.
"She was probably drunk when she treated the child so. If she destroyed Inez basket and used the money Inez always saved back to buy a new supply of bouquets, she fair put the poor thing out o' business."
"Oh, dear!" said Nan. "And we can't find her on the square."
"Poor thing! I wisht she had come here for a bite—I do. I'd have trusted her for a meal of vittles."
"I am sure you would, Mrs. Beasley," Nan said, and she and her friends went away very much worried over the disappearance of Inez, the flower-seller.
CHAPTER XXIII
JUST TOO LATE
Walter Mason was not only an accommodating escort; he was very much interested in the search for Inez. Even Bess, who seldom admitted the necessity for boys at any time in her scheme of life, admitted on this occasion that she was glad Walter was present.