“I suppose the water streets are only in the main part of the city,” said Flo. “It does seem to be solid land all around the station. I can’t see any water anywhere.”
“Well, there must be some, somewhere. Flo, where do you suppose father is?”
“I don’t know, Patty, and,—and, I’m—awfully frightened.”
“Well, you just stop being frightened. I tell you everything is all right,—or will be, in a minute.”
The crowd was moving along toward the entrance to the station, through which all the incoming passengers must go, and Patty reluctantly said, “We’d better go on into the station, Flo. We can’t stand here, and father will surely find us there, if—if——”
Patty nearly broke down, for a sudden conviction had come to her that something serious must have happened to keep Mr. Fairfield from them now. The two girls, with their light luggage still in their hands, followed the crowd through the ticket gate.
“Biglietti,” said the ticket man.
“I haven’t any,” said Patty, and without waiting to hear the man’s surprised protest, Patty pushed Flo ahead of her, and they went on into the waiting-room of the station.
“Something has happened, Flo,” she said, “something awful, perhaps,—but I can’t imagine what it is. Now, we’re alone, and unprotected in a strange land, and it’s up to us to be brave and sensible. I shall take the gondola or omnibus, or whatever goes to the Royal Danieli Hotel, and go right straight there. Then we can get somebody to look for father. But two young girls can do nothing, and we’d only waste time.”