[CHAPTER VIII.]
CONCLUSION.
"WHERE'S Eric? how long has he been home?" Mr. Consett spoke sharply, for he felt annoyed that the lad, as he supposed, had left Boston without waiting for him at The Old Bell, according to the arrangement made in the morning.
Mrs. Consett stopped her spinning-wheel at the sound of her husband's voice, and came to meet him.
"Where is Eric?" she asked, not having heard the precise words her husband used.
"That is what I ask you," said the farmer in a tone of irritation. "Where is the lad? What time did he get home?"
"He hasn't come home; I haven't seen him since he went with you this morning," said Mrs. Consett, in a tone of surprise.
Husband and wife stood looking at each other for a minute in blank amazement.
"What has become of the lad?" said Mrs. Consett. "A man came here about two hours ago to ask about Mason's horses that were to be delivered in Boston to-day."
"But—but hasn't he got them?" asked the farmer. "I left them with the lad to be given up, and when I went at four o'clock there were no horses there, nor Eric either."