If she had doubted his identity, she would have been convinced by the quick turn which he made beyond the lilac-bushes, in order to take the shortest cut across the fields. She saw him stop for an instant to stare at the long, unbroken slope, which stretched clear to Uncle Daniel's door, then he hurried on.
Aunt Eliza was frightened almost out of her wits. He did not speak to her or greet her, except to say, "Where is my little sister?"
"William!" screamed Aunt 'Liza. "Ach, William, did you come home?"
"Where is my little sister?" He had always been fond of Aunt Eliza, and she had always been kind to him. But now there was no room in his heart for anything but grief and resentment and anxiety.
"She is—ach, I don't know where she is. She went this long time home. But Jacob Kalb lives now at your house. Ellie and Weezy are at school, perhaps she went to them. She is very for the teacher. Perhaps—Here is your little brother, William. Here is Albert. He is—he is—" And Aunt 'Liza burst into tears.
William stooped to kiss him, his lips trembling.
"Where is my uncle?"
"He is gone to—town, William. Ach, sit down once!"
"No," said William curtly. "I'll come back after a while for Albert."