"He's upstairs with Andy," said Young, looking up from his book. Then, alarmed by her appearance, he jumped up and hurried to her. "What's the matter, Tess? Tell me."
"Where's the baby?" she demanded hysterically, clinging to him.... "Tell me where my baby is."
Drawing her into an easy chair, Deforrest attempted to quiet her.
"Boy's upstairs with Andy. Hush, hush, child! Don't cry like that!... Oh, my little girl!... What is it?... What's happened? Tell me ... quick!"
But Tess couldn't speak. She only clung to his arms, trying to stifle her gasping cries.
Just then Boy's clear laugh came pealing down the stairway, a conclusive comfort to his mother's heart. When her extreme agitation had subsided. Professor Young sat down and called her to him. As of old, when first he had heard her lessons in his home, she dropped at his feet, resting her curly head against his knee.
"Now I want to know what's frightened you," said he, softly.
The girl made a gesture of refusal. "I can't tell it," she replied, under her breath. "It's too terrible! It's too awful!"
"There's nothing too terrible for me to know," answered Young. "What happened while you were out?"
"Don't ask me to tell you, Uncle Forrie," pleaded Tess. "I can't! I can't!"