Miss Ferris looked puzzled. "Don't tell me anything that you'd rather not," she said, "but there is one thing that a friend always wants to know. Do you see your way out, Miss Watson?"
"There isn't any way out."
"Oh, but I think there is always one somewhere," said Miss Ferris, brightly. "You're quite sure we couldn't find it between us?"
"Quite sure."
"If you ever change your mind—"
"Thank you," said Eleanor, curtly.
There was a little silence. "We runaways mustn't be gone too long. Have you any idea what time it is?" asked Miss Ferris.
Eleanor did not answer, and Miss Ferris looked up to find her crying softly, her face hidden in one hand, her shoulders shaking with suppressed sobs. For a moment Miss Ferris watched her without speaking. Then she moved nearer and stretched out her hand to take Eleanor's free one.
"I'm very, very sorry," she said kindly. "I wish I could have helped."
[Illustration: ELEANOR DID NOT ANSWER]