“There now, it isn’t your fault. They aren’t babies—but yet—they’ve been gone since the day before yesterday....”
CHAPTER XXXV—WESTY RUNS TRUE TO FORM
“My theory is,” broke in Billy, “that you’re all crossing your bridges too soon. We don’t know until we find out. Come on!”
Lola ran ahead to tell her grandmother and promised to join them along the trail.
There was little talk between them. Even the optimistic Billy was silent and when Lola caught up with them her face was so grave that it tended to make them more alarmed than ever.
“It seems longer than when we came here the other day,” Mr. Wilde said to relieve the tension.
“Yes,” said Lola, “and I didn’t think then I’d be the cause——”
“Now, my dear child!” Mr. Wilde was touched by her self-indictment. “No one is to blame but Rip and at that I couldn’t call him down for having been born with a stubborn disposition, could I?”
“Of course not,” Lola agreed.
“But Westy,” Mr. Wilde continued, “that boy is a jewel. He has more sense than Rip’ll ever have. Likes adventure, but uses discretion.”