"Go after her and bring her home!" shouted the girl.
But Delia barred the way when she tried to come down again. "You can't do that, Nan," she protested. "It would only make things worse. Just wait, and see if she comes home to dinner."
"No; I want to go now!" persisted the girl.
"But don't you see it would only worry her?" insisted Delia.
Nan considered. "Well, I'll wait till dinner," she admitted; "but if she isn't here by then I'll start."
She sat down by the parlor window and commenced to watch. It seemed to her that every one in town came into sight but the one she was looking for with such curious anxiety. Suddenly her heart gave a great leap. She flew to the front door and flung it wide.
"She's come! She's come!" she shouted to Delia, exultantly.
"Nan, Nan!" cried Miss Blake, hearing the joyous ring in her voice and seeing the glad light in her eyes. "What is the matter? Has anything happened? Has—has any one come?" As she spoke her lips grew white.
"Yes! You're the matter! You've happened! You've come! I tell you I'm glad! And don't you ever go to those Duffys again, where there's scarlet fever, and you can die of it!"
Miss Blake sank upon the hall-chair and held her hand to her heart.