Chapter XI.
There's no telling how many anxious people there may have been in that region, after tea-time that evening, but of two or three circles we may be reasonably sure. Good Mrs. Foster could not endure to stay at home, and her husband and Annie were very willing to go over to the Kinzers' with her, and listen to the encouraging talk of Dabney's stout-hearted and sensible mother.
"O, Mrs. Kinzer, do you think they are in any danger?"
"I hope not. I don't see why they need be, unless they try to return across the bay against this wind."
"But don't you think they'll try? Do you mean they wont be home to-night?" exclaimed Mr. Foster, himself.
"I sincerely hope not," said the widow, calmly. "I should hardly feel like trusting Dabney out in the boat again if he should do so foolish a thing."
"But where can he stay?"
"At anchor, somewhere, or on the island. Almost anywhere but tacking on the bay. He'd be really safer out at sea than trying to get home."
"Out at sea!"