The Doctor looked; then he frowned, looked about him, and muttered:—
"At last!"
"Why, Doctor, what is the matter?"
"Nothing, I hope. It may go clear of us. Listen—carefully. Come apart from the crowd; my ears are not as keen as they used to be. Do you hear any sound in that direction?"
"Nothing—except buzz-buzz, as if a hive of bees were swarming."
"I'm glad of it; it mayn't be so bad as I feared. I'm not acquainted with the things, except through common report. Where's Mr. Truett? He had field-glasses slung from his shoulder this morning. Here, you boys!" the Doctor shouted to several youngsters who were playing leap-frog near by, "scatter—find Mr. Truett—the man who bossed the big ditch, and ask him to come here—right away!"
"Doctor!" exclaimed Grace. "Do tell me what you fear."
"Tell me first about that noise. Is it any louder?"
"Yes. It sounds now like a distant railway train. What does it mean?"