'What do you think he can have gone out for?' inquired Marjorie, and the faces of the others were as anxious as her own.
'Now, young people,' cried Mrs. Stewart's voice, 'come to breakfast; the Heroic will wait while you have some food.'
Marjorie, Allan, and Reggie tore themselves unwillingly away from the letter.
'Mother,' said Allan persuasively, 'there's a letter for Father out there on the hall table; it's some message from the Heroic; don't you think you might open it and see what they say?'
Mrs. Stewart looked surprised.
'I can't open a letter addressed to your father,' she said. 'Have patience a little while; he may not be long.'
'But, Mother, perhaps it's something very important,' persisted Allan; 'they may be waiting for an answer, you know.'
'I don't think it can be so important as all that,' said Mrs. Stewart. 'Take your places, Allan and Reggie, everything is getting cold.'
The young people felt that their patience would give way in another minute.
'Come here, Gerald,' said Mrs. Stewart, 'beside Tricksy; and Harry, you can sit by Marjorie.'