"Fanny will be glad to hear that. She has gone home this afternoon, because of the news she got yesterday morning."
"Yes, ma'am," answered Jack, not knowing what else to say, and wondering how Fanny could have heard the news. "Good afternoon, ma'am," he said, as he turned away to walk home, hoping he might overtake Fanny and ask her how she had heard that his father was hurt.
He walked on quickly, keeping a sharp look-out for his sister as he went, but could see nothing of her. Just before he reached home, a thought occurred to him that made him almost stand still in the middle of the street, and he exclaimed, half aloud—
"Why, how could Fanny have heard that dad was ill yesterday morning? He wasn't hurt till last night. That's a rum go! I'm sure Mrs. Lloyd said she had the news yesterday morning;" and he walked on at a brisker pace, for he was anxious to reach home now and solve this mystery.
As he turned into the street, he saw his mother coming towards him. She had evidently been to see Jessie Collins, and he hurried forward to meet her before she reached their own door.
"Why, how is it you are back so soon, Jack? I thought you said you should go to church with Fanny?"
"Yes, so I should; but she has come home to tea, and I missed her somewhere."
"Home to tea?" repeated Mrs. Brown, in surprise. "She must have come in, then, while I have been away, and I didn't stay long with Jessie either."
"I say, somebody sent and told her father was ill yesterday morning," said Jack, as they were turning in at their own gate.
"Nonsense. No one could have done it, for there was nothing the matter with him until last night."