Mrs. Martin set down a dish that was in her hand. Her face turned pale and she looked around the room. No Trouble was in sight.
"What's the matter?" asked Mr. Martin, coming in just then.
"Why, I thought Baby William was out in the yard, playing with Jan and Ted," said Mrs. Martin, "but they came in just now and they say he wasn't. Oh, where could he have gone?"
"Maybe he went out in the front instead of to the back when you put on his things," said Aunt Jo, "and he may be in one of the neighbor's houses. We'll go and ask, Uncle Frank and I."
"I'll come, too," said Mr. Martin. "Mother, you call through the house. He may not have gone out at all."
CHAPTER XIII
NICKNACK HAS A RIDE
Mrs. Martin hurried into the hall and in a loud voice called:
"Trouble! Trouble! Where are you? Baby William! Come to Mother!"
There was no answer. Ted and Jan looked anxiously at each other. Their father had gone with Uncle Frank and Aunt Jo to inquire in the houses next door and those across the street. Sometimes Trouble wandered to the neighbors', but this was in the summer, when doors were open and he could easily get out. He had never before been known to run away in winter.