While the sisters went from bedroom to sitting-room and back again, looking, and calling, "Mamma! Mamma!"
"What sort of a lady was it who came? Was there a carriage at the gate?" asked Annie, wondering whether one of their old friends had called to take the invalid out for a drive, as the weather was so pleasant.
"There warn't no carriage, and the lady were too big for most," said Alice.
"Then it was Aunt Mary. But where can she have taken Mamma? Did you see the lady go out?" asked Annie.
Alice shook her head. "She were too quick for a little 'un like me. She was down the stairs and out of the house in a winking, before I could wipe my hands out of the dishes."
"And then did you hear my mother moving afterwards?" asked Molly.
"I jest heard nothing, Miss Molly, for I threw my dish-water away and began my scouring—"
"And singing too, I suppose?" said Annie.
"Yes 'm, I sung a bit, for I thought I couldn't hurt the missis or her head out there in the scullery; and I never heard nothing till I opened the door for you just now."
"You may go down now, Alice, and set the dinner things," said Annie.