"And when did they come back?"
Osric looked threateningly at Elsie, but she did not hesitate. She had made up her mind as to her duty, and was determined to do it.
"They did not come back at all, father. They had not come when school was out, and I waited ever so long for Ozzy after the school-house was locked up."
"Now, Osric, you must tell us the truth," said Mr. Parsons, firmly but kindly. "Christopher is missing and cannot be found, and his mother is very much distressed about him."
At first, Osric would say nothing, but finally, he admitted that he and Christopher had hid among the willows on the bank of the river to see the funeral pass, that they had watched it across the river, and then Christopher said his head ached, and he would go home.
"Which way did he go?"
"Through the woods."
"You are sure you did not go in swimming?" said Mr. Parsons.
"No," returned Osric, doggedly.
"Quite sure?"