There were groups of people upon the lawn, and Missy felt afraid to trust herself to talk before them, afraid, also, that the presence of strangers would weaken her power over the child, who followed her unwillingly into the house. When there, she shut the door upon them, and sat down, drawing Gabrielle towards her.
"We all feel very unhappy about your little brother," she said, looking directly into the oblique eyes of Gabrielle; "this is a terrible day for your father and for us all."
"They won't hurt him," faltered the child, uneasily.
"They say they won't, but they may. They tell lies, those French people. Alphonsine told lots of lies when she was here. We can't believe her, even if she says she won't hurt Jay."
"I know she won't," said Gabrielle.
"We'd give anything to get him back," said Missy. "Tell me all that happened; you shall not be punished."
"I promised not," said the child, looking down, and glancing towards the clock uncomfortably. Missy caught the direction of her glance.
"Why do you look at the clock?" she asked.
Gabrielle hung her head lower than before, and looked convicted.
"When did she tell you you might tell?" demanded Missy, with keen sagacity.