Miss Elizabeth Somerville had to help in the search, too, although Bill Tinsley tried to persuade her that he and Tillie Wingo could do her part and she had better go back to the pavilion, but go she would down the rocky path.
“‘Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him,’” she declaimed grimly. “If I had my way I should give that child a good whipping when he is found. He knows perfectly well he should not have gone off without asking.”
The search kept up for more than an hour and still no sign of little Bobby. Even the most cheerfully sanguine of the campers began to feel dubious. Helen lay on her cot in an agony of suspense. The search party had none of them returned. She began to fear that the worst might have happened to her beloved little brother. If she could only get up and help! She regretted the promise she had made Dr. Wright. How could she stay still until the next day? She knew she could find Bobby if any one could. Did he not love her best of all the sisters? How strange that he had not come to her when Douglas sent him! She would have told him stories and amused him.
“Maybe he did come while I was taking that little nap,” she thought. “It was only for a moment that I dozed off and usually he is quick enough to awaken any one who is sleeping.” The truth of the matter was that Bobby was loath to have anybody sleep. He was famous as a waker.
“There is a car! I hear it coming up the mountain. I do hope it is Douglas and she has got him.”
She waited what seemed hours but was in reality but a minute.
“Douglas!” she called. “Lewis! Somebody! Have you found him?” Her voice rang out very loud in the empty camp.
“May I come in?” Dr. Wright’s voice just outside her tent.
“Oh, Dr. Wright! Bobby is lost! May I get up and help hunt? I’m so glad you have come!”
“So am I. I was called to Charlottesville in consultation and came on up here for a visit. Tell me about Bobby.”