“Excuse me, Josiah,” said Mrs Lavington excitedly; “let me go.”
Uncle Josiah grunted his consent, and Mrs Lavington hurried out into the hall, and then upstairs.
“Slipped in while you were half asleep,” said the old man to Jessie.
“No, sir, indeed. I’ve been watching carefully all night.”
“Humph! There’s half a crown for you to buy a hat ribbon, Jessie. Well,” he continued as his sister entered hastily, “what does he say?”
“Josiah!” cried the trembling woman, “what does this mean? Don was out when I went up yesterday evening, and he has not been to his room all night.”
“What?”
“Neither has Kitty been to hers.”
Uncle Josiah thrust back his chair, and left his half-eaten breakfast.
“Look here,” he exclaimed in a hoarse voice; “what nonsense is this?”