The scene just enacted, and the conversation of the seven members of the nutting party, should serve to introduce them to those new readers who have not previously become acquainted with the Corner House girls and their closer comrades. It was Ruth, of course, who took the lead when the three strange children made their announcement of the disaster that had happened in the woods.
“Where is your father lying?” she asked the spokesman of the trio.
“Over there,” said the girl, pointing rather vaguely, it must be confessed.
“Who is with him?” again questioned Ruth.
“Oh! He’s all alone. He was getting nuts for us. And when he fell and we couldn’t wake him up, we all ran away.”
“We—we were going home to tell mamma,” sobbed the smaller girl.
“We don’t know where she is,” said the boy, who was staring at Sammy Pinkney.
“Don’t you know where your mother is?” cried Agnes. “Fancy!”
“She’s at home,” said the first speaker.