"Darling," said Mrs. Dunlee, now really alarmed. "Come upstairs with mamma. Does your head ache? I think it will be best for you to go right to bed."
But Jimmy persisted in talking about the watch.
"Where did papa find it? He let Lucy have it; don't you know?"
"No, I did not know."
"And I took it away from Lucy. I was afraid she'd lose it. And then,—oh, dear, oh, dear,—then I went and lost it myself!"
Mrs. Dunlee understood it all now. Jimmy's head was clear enough; he knew perfectly well what he was talking about. The watch was gone, a very valuable one. Search must be made for it at once. Without waiting to speak to her husband, Mrs. Dunlee put on her hat and went with Jimmy up the hill. He limped a little from the bruise of his fall and she steadied him with her arm as they walked.
IX
"CHICKEN LITTLE" AND JOE
The man and woman who lived in the green cottage had gone to a neighbor's to stay till their chimney should be fastened on again. There was no one in sight.