"Boating, after all! And poor Harry so anxious, riding along those awful roads to the Forest Park Lodge."
"Why should he do that? He might have known—"
"He knew there was a very urgent telegram for you here." Mrs. Ball was deeply reproachful. "We thought it best to open it."
Val snatched it up and read:
"Come home at once.—Sarah C. Gano."
"Oh, she's ill; dying, perhaps! Oh, God! not dying!" She leaned against the wall; her face frightened her hostess.
"My dear, it doesn't say a word about being ill."
"It's what it means; she knew I'd understand."
"Don't take it like that, Val." She put her arm round the girl.
Val threw her off, exclaiming: "Oh, I must go this moment. Can we send Ethan word? Quick, quick!"