“All right,” replied her companions, and they certainly meant it would be “all right” to keep their newest secret.
“I can’t understand it,” Arden remarked as they plodded along. “Especially about Tania. He was so fond of her.”
“Was? Oh, Arden!” Sim wailed at the slip Arden had made.
“Everything will be all right. I’m sure there is some simple explanation,” Terry said soothingly.
“I hope so,” Sim murmured, not quite so sure.
They could still hear Tania howling mournfully at being left alone, but Arden insisted they should not go back, for Tania was safe, she declared. Soon the dog’s howls could be heard no longer, with the noise of the wind and the endless slashing of the breakers on the shore.
The tide had risen just as Terry said it would, and in some places the girls had to wade in water up to their knees as they trudged along. When at last they reached Terry’s house they were indeed a woebegone little band, and there was no use denying it.
Mrs. Landry was shocked when she saw them and sent them to change into dry things at once. After which they gathered in the living room and told Terry’s mother all about their disheartening adventure, not, however, mentioning the surprise portrait.
“And, Mother,” Terry pleaded, “can’t we go to town at once to see if he has been there?”
“Terry, dear, you always rush so,” Mrs. Landry reminded her. “Don’t you think the weather is too bad to go all that way now? Why not wait——”