"Where can Rufie be?" thought Rose, as she heard six o'clock peal from a neighboring church-tower.
She thought he might have gone by without her seeing him, and with this idea, as it was already the hour for dinner, she went into the house. She ran upstairs two steps at a time, and opened the door of her own room.
"You should not have stayed out so late, Rose," said Miss Manning. "You will hardly have time to get ready for dinner."
"I was waiting for Rufie. Has he come?"
"No; he seems to be late to-night."
"I am afraid he's got run over," said Rose anxiously.
"Rufus is old enough to take care of himself. I've no doubt he's quite safe."
"Then what makes him so late?"
"He is probably detained by business. But there is the bell. We must go down to dinner."
"Can't we wait for Rufie?"