“I’d just like to know.”
Her brother looked at her keenly before he said—“We can walk into town and see what information we can get, if you like.”
“Do you suppose the children would be safe if we left them?” looking up at him doubtfully.
“I think so. Priscilla must begin to take a little responsibility now. We’ll have plenty of time to get back before dinner time.”
While Desiré got ready, Jack issued instructions to the two children, closing with—“René, you’re to mind Priscilla; and Prissy, don’t go away from the wagon, or let René out of your sight.”
They had gone only a short distance when Desiré, who had looked back several times, said—“Jack, would you mind very much if I let you go on alone, and I went back?”
“No, of course not; don’t you feel well?” he inquired anxiously.
“Perfectly; but—Prissy is pretty young to be left with the wagon and the baby; and it isn’t as if you really needed me along.”
“I think they’re perfectly safe, but if you’d feel better about it, go back by all means,” said her brother kindly.
So Desiré returned to the children, and waited in a fever of suspense for Jack to come back. With one eye on the long road, and the other on her household, or rather wagonhold, duties, she was ready to drop everything and go to meet him as soon as his tall form appeared in the distance.