Miss Minerva came out of her front door looking for Billy at the same time that Mrs. Garner appeared on her porch in search of Jimmy.
“William! You William!” called one woman.
“Jimmee-ee! O Jimmee-ee-ee!” called the other.
“Have you seen my nephew?” asked the one.
“No. Have you seen anything of Jimmy?” was the reply of the other.
“They were talking together at the fence about an hour ago,” said Billy's aunt. “Possibly they are down at the livery stable with Sam Lamb; I'll phone and find out.”
“And I'll ring up Mrs. Black and Mrs. Hamilton. They may have gone to see Lina or Frances.”
In a short time both women appeared on their porches again:
“They have not been to the stable this morning,” said Miss Minerva uneasily, “and Sam went to Memphis on the excursion train.”
“And they are not with Lina or Frances,”—Mrs. Garner's face wore an anxious look, “I declare I never saw two such children. Still, I don't think we need worry as it is nearly dinner time, and they never miss their meals, you know.”