"A little too early for my fellow-guest to be up and about, I see," ventured Kenneth at last, taking the bull by the horns. His curiosity had to be satisfied.
Striker did not look up from his plate. "She's gone. She ain't here."
"Gone?"
"Yep. Left jist a little while 'fore sun-up."
"Her ma sent for her," volunteered Eliza.
"Sent fer her to come in a hurry," added Striker, trying to be casual.
"Then it was she who went away in the wagon last night," said the young man, a note of disappointment in his voice.
"Airly this mornin'," corrected his host. "Jist half an hour or so 'fore sun-up."
"I trust her mother is not ill."
"No tellin'," was Striker's non-committal response.