Mrs. Bertram looked up with a very startled expression in her eyes.
"Now, mother, there's nothing to fret you in this," said Kate, eagerly. "Was not Loftie always the most changeable of mortals?"
"Yes, my dear, but not quite so changeable as not to know anything at all about a recall in the afternoon yesterday, and to have to leave us before we are out of bed in the morning. Did anybody see Loftus go? Had he any breakfast?"
Catherine flew away to inquire of Clara, and Mabel said in an injured voice:
"I dare say Loftie had a telegram sent to him to the club. Anyhow, he has all the excitement and all the pleasure. I watched him through the spy-glass last night. He was in the Bells' boat, and Beatrice was all alone in hers. Beatrice was talking to Loftus and the boats were almost touching. Mother, I wish we could have a boat."
"Yes, dear, I must try and manage it for you at some future time. Well, Catherine, have you heard anything?"
"No, mother. Loftus must have gone away very, very early. No one saw him go; he certainly had no breakfast."
Mrs. Bertram was silent for a few moments; then, suppressing a sigh, she said, in a would-be cheerful tone:
"Well, my loves, we must enjoy our breakfasts, even without the recreant Loftus. Mabel, my dear, what delicious raspberries! They give me quite an appetite."
"Kitty picked them for you, mother," said Mabel. "She has been treasuring a special bush for you for a week past."