“Go down again, do go right down,” she kept saying, “and see!”
I shook my head. But at that she leaped out on to the stoop and took me by the shoulder and pushed me.
“Run out behind the building—oh, be quick!” she beseeched. “Look all along the road, and if you see anybody, stop him and tell me!”
I ran. The road was empty. I came dazedly back. “There’s nobody in sight,” I panted, “not a soul.”
“Run over to that tree where you can see ’round the turn in the avenue!”
I ran again. I stretched my eyes in vain, but there wasn’t a person of any sort or description.
“Once more—please!” She started down the steps as I started up. “Over by the chapel—you may find somebody walking. Hurry!”
I hurried. I was out of breath and hardly knew what I was doing.
“They’re all in, getting ready, Miss Haviland. How can you expect me to find anybody now?” I asked, pointlessly, and in some indignation as I reapproached her.
But she rushed down the steps and stopped me halfway, her mauve kimono fluttering open, and the gilt high-heeled slippers she had donned in her haste gleaming garishly against the unswept stone.