MEANWHILE the children had gone home, only to find no May there, while nurse and Lucia still searched and searched fruitlessly.
At last they thought that perhaps the little girl had also gone home, and so they set out to see, Lucia hardly bearing to tear herself away from the forest, lest the child should be there after all.
But no May was at home; and now what was to be done?
Evan and Mrs. Giah had prepared tea. And after snatching a few hasty mouthfuls, it was decided that the whole party should go back again and look anew, Mrs. Giah promising to communicate with the cottagers near, and beg them to help too.
What Lucia and nurse passed through in those hours only those know who have had a lost child.
Lucia had found time to fly up to her room, and had thrown herself on her knees, asking with earnest supplication that May might be preserved, and that they might be led to her. And when she came down, and they all started together, nurse was surprised at the quiet calmness which shone in her face.
"Why, Miss Lucia," she said, "one would think Miss May was found, to look at you."
"God knows where she is," answered Lucia softly, "and I have asked Him to show us."
Nurse shook her head gloomily. She had not an ever-present help to go to, and could not share Lucia's trust.
The children were told to keep in sight of the road which ran through the forest and led finally to their cottage, while nurse and Lucia searched among the trees, calling till their voices were hoarse, and watching the sun go down with hearts that sank too—at any rate nurse's did. As to Lucia, she kept on saying to herself, "God knows where she is," and so went on with renewed strength.