Her mother looked at her in astonishment.
"My dear child!" she exclaimed, "what is the matter?"
"Jack has been captured by bandits," replied Lena. "Oh! what shall I—what ought I to do?"
"Shall I tell you, sis?" asked Alfred.
"Oh! yes."
Mrs. Vanhoosen rose and extended her hand.
"Allow me an opportunity to speak, if you please," she said.
"Certainly," replied Alfred; "you are our mother, and we are bound to hear you, although I must say that if I were in Lena's place I would go after Jack."
"Insolent boy!"
"No, mother, I am not insolent; but the girl loves the man, and what is the use of interfering between them?"