"I confess I fail to understand you!" he said severely ... "What help could you give them anyway?"
"I know the place so well!"
"Do you mean to say you have been searching the woods ... with all these strangers about?"
"I had only to raise my voice to bring a dozen to my aid ... Besides, Mr. Riever lent me a revolver."
"Oh! ... Well you might have taken your father into your confidence ... Did you find anything?"
"No."
A more perspicacious man might have remarked the little catch of joy with which she said it, but never Pendleton. "The supper is cold," he said fretfully. "Aunt Maria's gone home."
"Never mind," said Pen. Out of the riches in her breast she could spare affection for him, the dear, trying child! She kissed his bald spot. "I'll make a cup of tea for myself."
"I got the mail this afternoon," he grumbled. "There's a letter for you."
"Eh?" said Pen sharply.