"She hasn't been with us. We have been on the moor ever since, and she must have stayed in the garden, but I can't see her there now. We saw her little can in the path, that was all, and I can't find her in the house anywhere. I thought perhaps she was here with you."
Anna looked anxious. "Have you been all over the house, miss?"
"I have been in our rooms and the dining-room and drawing-room, and we have all called her, but we can't find her."
"I'd look again, miss, if I was you; look in the missus's room, and mine too, if you like. I'd come with you, but I can't leave my bread for a few minutes."
"Oh, we will find her," said Esther cheerfully, and they ran off again.
She was back in a short while, though, and not quite so cheerful. Just as she reached the kitchen Ephraim came in at the other door.
"Who hev been meddlin' with my new turnip-bed?" he demanded. He did not see Esther.
"What's the matter with your turnip-bed?" asked Anna shortly. She was just lifting her loaves out of the oven, and it was a critical moment; besides, Anna was always 'short' with Ephraim; she had a theory that it was good for him.
"Why, it's in such a mess as you never saw in your life; anybody'd think there'd been a month's rain emptied over it, and all the hens in Dorsham scratching it over, and me only sowed the seeds this morning and left it as tidy as ever you see a bed, only so long ago as dinner-time."
Anna, looking up, caught sight of Esther. "Have 'ee found her, missie?" she asked, taking no further notice of Ephraim.