“Yes, it is Anna!” she replied. “She’s opening the gate now!”
All the girls rushed with one accord down the porch steps, towards the girl in a white dress, who slowly, falteringly, made her way up the walk. She walked uncertainly, as if she were weak or ill, and scarcely acknowledged their noisy welcome. Marjorie and Ethel hastened to her support, one on each side of her.
“Where have you been?” demanded Lily, breathlessly.
“What happened?” asked Alice.
But Anna only half closed her eyes and sighed. Even in the darkness the girls could see how pale and tired she was.
“I’m very hungry!” she said, at last.
Florence and Alice ran into the house to find Mrs. Munsen to prepare food and a stimulant, while the others almost carried the exhausted girl to the couch. They were so impatient in their curiosity that they could not refrain from asking one question after another. But Anna maintained an indifferent silence.
In a few minutes Mrs. Munsen returned with some broth, and, for the first time, Anna manifested interest. She ate and drank greedily, as if she had been fasting for the last twenty-four hours.
At last, when she seemed partially satisfied, she leaned back against the cushions of the davenport and began to talk.
“How long have I been gone?” she asked.