Mrs. Lee was struggling to control her fears.
"No sign of Lieutenant Stuart yet, Ben?"
"Nomum. I'se er watchin'."
"Look again and see if there's any dust on that long stretch beyond the river—"
Ben shook his head.
"Yassam, I look."
He passed out the front door still wagging his head in deep sympathy for the stricken mistress of the great house.
Mary slipped her arm around her mother, and used the pet name she spoke in moments of great joy and sorrow.
"Oh, Mim dear, you mustn't worry so!"
Her mother's lips trembled. She tried to be strong and failed. The tears came at last streaming down her cheeks.