'Nonsense!' said Felix. 'There are only two bedrooms in this house fit for that boy in his present state—yours and Mr. Froggatt's. Which shall we have, Wilmet?'
'Mr. Froggatt's,' she answered at once. 'If you will not have another cup, I'll get it ready for him at once.'
'I've just done. I'll come and help you. But where can the boy be? In the garden?'
'No,' said Wilmet, taking a survey from the window.
'I have hardly seen him all day,' added Alda. 'I suppose he has pursuits of his own.'
'Pursuits!' said Felix, looking really anxious; 'poor little chap, he can't do without constant care and quiet!'
Wilmet made no answer, but rose and left the room; Alda muttered something about his looking quite well, which Felix did not stay to hear, following his sister out with a word about looking for him. At the same moment a little soft hand was thrust into his, and Stella, as soon as the door was shut, said, 'Please, I know where Lance is, but it's a secret.'
'Not from me, I hope?' said Felix, catching her up in his arms.
'I think not,' said Stella meditatively. 'He only told me not to let Bear and Tedo know, because they make a row. He is only up over the back warehouse, where he used to play the fiddle to us last Easter.'
'The only cool quiet place he could find!' said Felix, with more of a look of reproach than he had ever given Wilmet.