"It is only seven, mother."
"Yes, Danny, dear, but I mean to breakfast with you all this morning if I ever succeed in getting dressed."
Dan crossed the hall and knocked at Nancy's door. There was no response. He knocked again, then opened the door and looked within. Nancy was not there, and her bed had not been slept in.
He went back to his mother. "Nancy is not in her room," he said. "She has probably gone out for a walk. I'll go and look for her."
He went to the kitchens to enquire of the maids, but they had not seen their young mistress since the night before.
"Spec she's taken dem dogs a walkin'," said black Deborah unconcernedly. "Miss Nance she like de early morn' 'fore de sun come up."
Dan went out to the stables. The setters came rushing out, bounding and barking joyously about him.
"Have you seen Miss Nancy this morning, Jess?" he asked.
"No, Mister Dan, ain't seen her this mornin'. Be n't she in the house?"
"She doesn't seem to be. Take a look down the road, and call after her, will you? Down, Boy; down, Girl!" he cried to the dogs.