CHAPTER XVI.—STOLEN HOSPITALITY.
Once in the hallway, the young people gazed rather fearfully about. But the place seemed quite empty of all human beings, although every door was stretched wide open; and through the long windows in the little drawing-room opening straight onto the lawn the rain was beating furiously.
“You had better shut up everything,” ordered Edward Bacon. “The place will be flooded in a minute.”
There were several bedrooms on the same floor, the villa being a one-story cottage; but they also were empty, as could be plainly seen from the open doors. Presently the students had closed all the casements against the driving rain and gathered in the drawing-room.
“I feel like Goldilocks and the three bears,” remarked Nancy, half laughing and half crying as she sat down in the drawing-room and looked about her with the air of a martyred saint.
We are obliged to admit that Nancy, having sacrificed her best hat, felt that she had made sufficient recompense for her sins.
The room was very simply furnished with wicker chairs and chintz curtains, but it possessed the peculiar charm of the English cottage with its deep casement windows, low ceilings and polished hardwood floors.
“I don’t seem to know this house,” observed the young man named Bulger.
“I was here last spring,” said Bixby. “It was closed then. The owner is usually abroad, a gardener told me.”
“Well, whoever he is, I hope heaven will reward him for giving us shelter in the time of storm,” remarked Edward.