"They've left me! They've left me!" she wailed, sinking down exhausted in the nearest chair. "Oh, to think that I have come to this!"
"Who have left you, Mrs. Tobin?" John asked. "What do you mean?"
"Sam'l an' Eben, of course. They sailed right by, and never stopped.
What do you think of that?"
"That's nothing to worry about, Mrs. Tobin. They must have some good reason which they will no doubt explain later."
"You think so, do you?" the visitor demanded. "What makes you think there is a reason why they should go by without stopping?"
"I have no idea at all," the young man replied. "I only said that perhaps they had a reason."
"H'm, is that all you know about it? But I tell you there is a reason, and I'm going to find out. If it wasn't for leaving Flo alone I'd foot it every step of the way to the quarry this blessed night; that's what I'd do."
"Come, come, Mrs. Tobin, there is nothing to worry about," Mrs. Hampton comforted. "Surely you can trust your husband. Don't get so excited. Think of those poor people who lost their only daughter last night; drowned herself at Benton's wharf. What is your trouble compared to theirs?"
"Drowned herself, did you say?" and Mrs. Tobin held up her hands in horror. "Who was she? and why did she drown herself?"
"She was Mr. Henry Randall's daughter, who was greatly worried over some love affair, so I understand."