"Mrs. Amy is asleep, and I don't like to disturb her. She is unusually nervous this morning. Will you see the Colonel instead?" the girl said, awed by Eloise's air of authority.
"My business is with Mrs. Amy, but perhaps I'd better see Col. Crompton first," she replied.
Mrs. Biggs and Peter were in the house by this time, and heard what Eloise was saying.
"Better not," Peter began. "I don't know as you can see him. You stay here. I'll inquire."
He started up the stairs, followed by Eloise, who had no idea of staying behind.
"Wait," he said, motioning her back as he reached the Colonel's door, and saw her close beside him. "Let me go in first."
He left the door ajar and walked into the room where the Colonel was sitting just as he had sat the morning before, when Jake's letter and Eloise's note were brought to him. He had not slept at all during the night, and was in a trembling condition, with a feeling of numbness in his limbs which he did not like.
"Well?" he said sharply, as Peter came in, and he saw by his face that something had happened. "What's up now?"
"Nothing, but Miss Smith, the teacher," Peter replied. "She wants to see you."
"Miss Smith, the normal? Do you mean Eliza Ann? Tell her to go away. I can't see anybody," the Colonel said.