"Oh what a flash!" exclaimed Osric, shrinking once more. "It seemed to come right into the window."
"It is very near," said Elsie.
"There, again! Oh, the house will be struck, I know it will, and we shall all be killed, and what will become of Christopher?"
"Christopher!" exclaimed Elsie, catching at the words. "Oh, Ozzy, do you know where he is? Do tell the truth, if you know. Just think how his poor mother is feeling about him! Do tell!"
"I am afraid father will punish me again," said Osric, shrinking. "Oh dear! What shall I do?"
"Oh, Ozzy, don't be such a coward," said Elsie, disgusted in spite of herself. "Suppose he does? Wouldn't you rather be punished, even, than to have poor Christopher out in this storm, and perhaps dying of fright? Just think! If he dies in consequence of your keeping back the truth, you will be the cause of his death. Come, do tell me! Where did you and Christopher go?"
"We went to the funeral," said Osric, reluctantly, at last. "We watched till Isaac went away, and then hid in the vault to see the coffin. Then Chris was scared, and cried, and went and hid in the farther end of the vault, and I slipped out with the bearers, and hid in a bush till the people went away, and—and—"
"But didn't Christopher come out?" asked Elsie, struck with horror.
"I don't know whether he did or not. I never saw him. I did not think anything about him, till you asked where he was. Oh, Elsie, where are you going?" cried Osric as Elsie rose and went towards the door. "Don't go away and leave me alone! Suppose the lightning should strike me!"
"I can't help it, Ozzy. I must tell father this minute, so that he can know what to do. And if you are afraid, just think what poor Christopher must be. How would you feel if you were shut up in the burial-vault, instead of being safe at home? The best thing you can do is to get up and come and tell father yourself."