The two sisters stood and looked at each other and the vacant room after the little maid had left them, each lost in wondering amazement, until Molly suggested that they should see whether her mother's bonnet had been moved out of the deep drawer of the wardrobe.
When her husband died, Mrs. Murray insisted that a widow's bonnet and mantle should be provided for her, although she was little likely to wear it. And now they saw that bonnet and mantle were both missing, so that, whatever Alice might say to the contrary, it was evident that Mrs. Murray had gone out, and she must have gone with Lady Mary on some important errand.
This was the conclusion the sisters arrived at, after talking the matter over. But they were none the less anxious about their mother, for what effect the unwonted excitement might have upon her they could not tell.
"I do wish we had not gone out this morning!" exclaimed Annie.
"I am sorry too; but who would have thought of Aunt Mary coming this morning? It was just because we were both out," concluded Molly, who went and sat near the window, instead of at the dinner-table, that she might catch the first glimpse of her mother coming along the road when she should return.
[CHAPTER XII]
A SURPRISE FOR ARTHUR
"CAN I speak to you for a few minutes, sir, when I have distributed the letters?" asked Arthur, when Mr. Bristow came in, the morning after he and Molly had been for their walk.
"Oh yes, of course! Is it anything very important?" asked the gentleman.
"I hardly know what to think of it myself, and that is why I want to talk to you," replied Arthur.