Ned opined that they could make the train and he and Dorothy began immediately to get ready.
Dorothy stole one of the precious minutes to tell Major Dale where they were going and why, for she knew that hope, even if only temporary, would benefit him.
“I hate to leave him,” she told Ned, as they hurried down the stairs. “He seems so much brighter when I am with him.”
“And no wonder!” said Ned gallantly. Then as he stole a glance at Dorothy’s weary face, he went on: “Poor little Dot! If she could only divide herself in about six pieces every one would be happy!”
“Except Dot, perhaps,” said Dorothy ruefully.
They made the train with time to spare and settled back to endure the short trip to Scranting. Their minds were so filled with hopes and fears and questionings that they found little to say to each other.
Ned was thinking for the most part of pretty Jennie Haygood, to whom he had become engaged during her last visit to The Cedars, and wishing that he might run down and “have a talk with her.” But with all the trouble and worry at The Cedars, he felt, and rightly, that his first duty was to those at home. He would help Dorothy to find Joe and then, he declared grimly to himself, he would see Jennie every day for at least three months!
Dorothy’s thoughts were of her father and of Joe and—of Garry. If Garry were only here to help her!
The train stopped at Scranting with a jolt and Ned helped Dorothy to alight.
“This fellow I spoke of who thought he saw Joe here works for the railroad,” he hurriedly explained, as they started along the platform. “He says the ticket agent here is an acquaintance of his and may be able to give us valuable information.”