"I wish they would come," she said, impatiently. "No one knows what may have happened; they may never have reached Mammy's cabin. I think I will go and speak to George. He will laugh at me for worrying, but that will be better than sitting here by myself. There's the clock striking six; they should have been in an hour ago."
She rose, and was moving towards the door when she heard an approaching footstep, and in another moment her brother-in-law himself came into the room.
"I was just coming to look for you, George," she said; "I am getting a little anxious about the children."
"The children are all right," said the doctor, quietly, sinking into the arm-chair by the fire; "they came in half an hour ago, and have gone to their rooms. Marjorie was feeling a little upset, and I advised her to go and lie down till dinner-time."
Mrs. Randolph turned towards the door again.
"I think I will go and see if there is anything I can do for her," she said. "It isn't like Marjorie to give up; I'm afraid she isn't well."
But Dr. Randolph held out a detaining hand.
"Sit down, Barbara," he said, "I want to talk to you. There is nothing the matter with Marjorie or Beverly either. They have had a long ride, and stopped at Mammy's for waffles. I want to ask you a favor. I have just received some important news, which will necessitate my going West at once, and I want you to let Beverly go with me."
Mrs. Randolph was very much surprised.
"But, George dear," she remonstrated gently, "college begins again on Monday—do you think it wise to take the boy away just now?"