"
Daisy pouted, but she came away from the piano, having already
left many drops of water on its keys and shining rosewood case.
Patty smiled appreciatively at Bill's thoughtfulness, but said,
with growing alarm:
"Where DO you suppose the people are? They MUST have heard us come
in, even if they were sound asleep."
"It's pretty queer, I think," said Jack.
"Oh!" cried Daisy, "what do you mean? Do you think there's
anything WRONG?" and she began to cry, in sheer, hysterical fright
and discomfort.
"It IS queer," agreed Bill, looking out into the hall, and
listening.
Then Patty's practical good sense came to her aid.
"Nonsense!" she said. "You're an ungrateful bunch! Here you have
shelter from the storm, and you all begin to cry! Well, no," she
added, smiling, "you boys are not exactly crying,--but if you were
girls, you WOULD be! Now, behave yourselves, and brace up to this
occasion! First, there's a fireplace, and here's a full woodbox.
Build a roaring fire, and let's dry off a little. Meantime, I wish
you two men would go over the house, and find out who's in it.
Daisy and I will stay here."
"_I_ won't stay here alone with Patty," sobbed Daisy, who was
shaking with nervous fear.
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