“That is what he said,” she repeated, half aloud.
“That is just what he said. If he didn’t mean it, why did he say it?”
At the breakfast table, Mrs. Alder noticed how pale her cheeks were.
“Try to eat some toast, dear,” said Mrs. Alder. “You will soon be home again. Only a few hours more now.”
Clematis raised her eyes, and gave Mrs. Alder a strange look.
“That child does beat all,” said Mrs. Alder, after breakfast. “She seems to be thinking a lot, but she keeps as quiet as a stone jug.”
“She is thinking; you may be sure of that,” Mr. Alder replied.
All the morning Clematis went about silently, except when she was in the loft with Deborah. Then she talked.
“I shan’t be afraid. I am a big girl, Debby, and I shan’t be a mite afraid.”
Deborah could not speak, but she snuggled up close, and purred, so Clematis knew just what she meant.