“Elsie?”
“Yes.”
“Why, is Elsie——? Where is she?”
“Yes,” cried Frank, who had noted Winnie’s word. “Where is Elsie?”
“She was with us,” explained Badger. “Winnie and I paused a moment on the steps to look around, while she ran up-stairs ahead.”
Frank and Inza looked at each other in amazement.
“She’s not here,” said Merry breathlessly.
“No,” said Winnie. “She came back quickly, meeting us just as we were entering. I don’t know what ailed her, but she was very pale and said she was ill.”
“Never saw such a change come over anybody in a minute,” declared Buck. “I don’t understand it now. Why, a little while before she was all life and happiness, and her cheeks were like two sun-kissed peaches, and she——”
“That will do, sir!” cried Winnie, frowning. “You may talk like that about me, but not about other young ladies. Don’t forget that you are a married man.”