"You must not be so kind to me; you tempt me to tell you why——"
"Jean! Jean!"
This piercing cry, so fraught with terror, brought them to their feet. They started forward, and even as they did so Willie stumbled across the doorway and leaned up against the post, sobbing piteously.
"Gladys, hurt," he panted, and then, his courage forsaking him, he burst into a storm of tears.
Every bit of color faded from Jean's face.
"What do you mean? O Willie, where is Gladys?"
Farr put his hand on the boy's shoulder.
"Come, little man," he said kindly, "don't cry, but take a long breath. There, that's a brave little chap. Now tell your sister where Gladys is, and what has happened."
"We were playing birds in a tree, and Gladys fell, and she can't get up," faltered Willie.
"Where?" Jean asked sharply.