'What can have become of them?'
'It's no use asking me. Is it like I should know?'
'But this is most extraordinary. They must have wandered off the saltings, on to the causeway, and so away.'
'That is likely, ain't it,' said Abraham. 'It is like the ways of sheep, to scatter, and two or three to go off and away from all the flock. I'll believe that when sheep change their nature.'
'They must have fallen into a pool and been drowned.'
'Then I should find their carcases; but I haven't. Perhaps there has been a spring tide at the wrong time of the year and overflowed and drowned them. That's likely, isn't it?'
'But, Abraham, they must be found.'
'Then you must find 'em yourself.'
'Where can they be?'
'I've told you it is no use asking me.'