"Nothing, now," she answered tremulously. "But I thought—I thought—I suppose it was my fancy!"
"What did you think you heard?" he questioned curiously. "Why, you have turned quite white! What startled you, Peggy?"
"I thought I heard mother crying, but I suppose I was wrong. I don't hear anything now."
Billy went to the door, opened it, and listened; but nothing could be heard except a murmur of voices from the music-room. He shut the door and returned to the table.
"Why should mother cry?" he demanded, uneasily.
"Didn't you tell me Mr. Maloney said nothing was wrong?"
"Yes," Peggy responded, "and he wouldn't have deceived us, I know."
"Then mother wouldn't cry for nothing!"
"I expect it was my mistake, Billy."
More than half an hour passed—an hour—and at last the children heard the music-room door open and footsteps in the passage. Then the front door opened and shut, and a moment afterwards, Mr. and Mrs. Pringle entered the sitting-room without their visitor.