“Yes, sir.”
“And shut the stable door?”
“Yes, sir; but I asked Joe to water him after he’d had his feed. Joe often does that, you know.”
“Call Joe!” the farmer said sharply to his wife.
Mrs. Gaston hurried upstairs to the door of Joe’s room.
She knocked, but there was no answer. She called, but no one responded. Then she opened the door and entered.
The bed was vacant. She looked into the closet, behind the trunk, under the bed; but no boy was to be found.
The truth suddenly forced itself into Mrs. Gaston’s mind. Joe had gone—run away!—left his home and her! She grew suddenly weak, and sat down upon the bed till her strength should return to her.
Joe gone? She could hardly believe it. How could her only boy leave her? How could she live without him?