"And you, Dorothy?" she forced herself to say.
But to this there was no answer.
"Children," Mrs. Orban said, "isn't your aunt there?"
"I don't know," Eustace said; "she wouldn't come before us."
There could be no doubt that Miss Chase was not there.
The first streak of daylight fell upon a boatload of haggard men and women, afraid of, yet longing for, the day. It was discovered that they had come within half a mile of shore, and the crew pulled with a will till they beached the boat. One after another in the shadowy gloom the stiff, cramped figures landed. There were meetings, but no open rejoicings, because of those others left behind.
Eustace and Nesta clung to their mother, half sobbing.
"And Peter," she said—"where is Peter?"
"Peter?" said the other two blankly.
"I thought you said he was there?" said Mrs. Orban.