Mrs. Berry looked in, and hospitably invited the boys to stay to supper, which they willingly agreed to do.
Also, they stayed an hour or more after supper, and when at last they departed, the four girls remained in the library talking things over.
To their surprise, Mr. Forbes came to the room, and without a word sat down facing the group. Something in his expression caused the girls to stop their laughter and chatter, for the old gentleman looked decidedly serious.
"Well, my dears," and he looked from one to another, "have you had a pleasant day?"
"Yes, indeed," spoke up Alicia, and they all added words of assent.
"Well, I haven't," said Mr. Forbes, and they looked up at him with a startled air. "That is, I have just made a discovery that makes to-day one of the most unfortunate of my life."
"What is it, Uncle? What is the matter?"
Alicia spoke solicitously, as if she feared her uncle had become suddenly ill.
"I have met with a loss."
"A loss?" queried Bernice. "What have you lost?"