"I'm so miserable, Helen," he said. "I don't know what to say."
Helen stood on tiptoe and put one arm around his neck. She drew the massive head down and pressed her face to her husband's cheek.
"I don't think there's anything much to say," she said softly, "but to thank her for bringing her back."
Waldstricker straightened himself impatiently.
"Brought who back?" he demanded. "What do you mean? My God, Helen, the whole house has gone mad."
"Didn't you see Tessibel in the library?" Helen asked. "She—"
"Well, I should say I did," Ebenezer snorted, "and I cleared her out of there. How dare the impudent huzzy come to my house?"
"Great Heavens! Ebenezer!" exclaimed Helen. "She carried Elsie all the way from the lake!"
When these words fell upon Waldstricker's ears, he couldn't comprehend their import entirely. Elsie was found! But—Then, the full horror of his impetuous action burst upon him. The squatter girl had brought her back! Oh! Brute and fool that he was! He groaned and started to speak but his wife's voice interrupted him.
"Elsie's in here. Come see her! Won't you come, dear?"