Jessica, also, had sobered instantly, and catching her guest’s hand hurried him impulsively upward, crying:
“He’s done it again! Oh, if mother sees him it will frighten her to death!”
They reached the upper floor and the end of the hall which divided it into two sections, and from whence a ladder ran upright to a trapdoor opening on the sloping roof. The scuttle had been left open for ventilation, and up this steep stairway Luis was pointing with wild gestures.
Again Aunt Sally caught and shook the little fellow, but he could make no better business of talking than before. Jessica had not waited for more than one glance into the empty chamber where the sick children had been cared for, since it was more quiet than the customary bed-room below; and that glance, added to Luis’ gesticulations, told her story.
“Oh, he’s walking in his sleep again! He’s gone on the roof!”
The next the reporter realized she had climbed the ladder and disappeared through the scuttle. He forgot that he was, or had been, ill, and followed her, only to pause at the sight which met him as his head protruded through the opening. It was a house of many gables, and upon the peak of the farthest one poised Ned in his night-clothes, slowly 160 swinging his arms in the circular fashion children adopt preparatory to a leap or spring.
“One!” counted the childish voice. “Two!”
Ninian closed his eyes, as if by so doing he might shut his ears to the final “Three!” which would mark the fatal leap.