They were delighted with this permission, and lost no time in beginning some games. They had "Follow my leader," "Hunt the hare," and then "Hide and seek." It was a capital place for this; there were hollow trees, thick bushes, and deep holes, and one after another hid and was found after a great deal of fun. At last it was Florence's turn. She seemed to have fixed on a very good place, for no one could find her. In vain they searched in every hole and stump, looked up trees where it was impossible she could have climbed, and into great bramble bushes, where she could not have crept without being scratched to pieces. Nearly two hours had passed since they began their games, and Jacob declared it was time to go home.
"Florence!" cried Emily, "where are you? come out: we ought to go home."
No answer.
"Florence! we give it up; we cannot find you; where are you, Florence?" was shouted by every one.
Still no answer.
"It's not play, Flory! we are frightened," cried Emily.
"Do speak." All was still silent.
"Come and help us to look, Jacob," said Annie; and Jacob came with his grave face, and began to beat the bushes, and peer about everywhere.
"Suppose we should never find her again!" said poor Emily, almost crying. "Dear Flory, do speak!" And she sat down on the grass with a feeling of fear of she did not know what.
"It must be six o'clock, and it's a lovely morning," exclaimed a voice at her feet, and up started Florence from under a heap of dry leaves, where she had hidden, and felt so comfortable that she had fallen asleep.