"If I can't find him, so much the worse," replied the girl, firmly. "But, unless mother forbids my going, I must seek him and bring him home."
Kate turned her eyes full upon her mother's face, as she said this, and, in an attitude of submission, awaited her reply.
"I think," said Mrs. Ellis, after a long silence, "that little good will come of this; yet, I cannot say no."
"Then I will find him and bring him home," was the animated response of Kate.
"You must not go alone," remarked Henry, taking up the cap he had a few minutes before laid off.
"Wait for supper. It is all ready," said Mrs. Ellis. "Don't go out until you have eaten something."
"No time is to be lost, mother," replied Kate. "And, then, I haven't the least appetite."
"But your brother has been working hard all day, and is, of course, tired and hungry."
"Oh, I forgot," said Kate. "But Henry needn't go with me. If he will only tell me exactly where I can find father, that will be enough. I think I'd better see him alone."
"Food would choke me now." Henry's voice was husky and tremulous. "Come, sister," he added, after a pause, "if this work is done at all, it must be done quickly."