"I am at my wits' end!" he said, when she entered the room. "I can't find the fellow! That detective's a muff! He ain't got a trace of him yet! I must put on another!—Don't you think you had better go home? I will do what can be done, you may be sure!"
"I am sure," answered Hester. "But mamma is better; so long as I am away papa will not leave her; and she would rather have papa than a dozen of me."
"But it must be so dreary for you—here alone all day!" he said, with a touch of malice.
"I go about among my people," she answered.
"Ah! ah!" he returned. "Then I hope you will be careful what houses you go into, for I hear the small-pox is in the neighborhood."
"I have just come from a house where it is now," she answered. The major rose in haste. "—But," she went on, "I have changed all my clothes, and had a bath since."
The major sat down again.
"My dear young lady!" he said, the roses a little ashy on his cheek-bones, "do you know what you are about?"
"I hope I do—I think I do" she answered.
"Hope! Think!" repeated the major indignantly.