She stopped at the low wall, extending from the side of the
boat-house to some of the prebendal residences, and glanced over at the
river. The water was flowing tranquilly between its banks, giving no
sign that a young child was drowning, or had been drowned there not
many hours before. "No," said Judy to herself, rejecting the doubt,
which had come over her as improbable, "he can't have got in there. We
should have heard of it."
She turned, and took a survey around. She did not know what to do, or
where to look. Still, cold, shadowy it all lay; the cathedral, the old
houses, the elm trees with their birds, at rest now. "Where _can_ he
have got to?" exclaimed Judith, with a touch of temper.
One thing was certain: it was of no use to wait where she was, and
Judith went herself home again. Just beyond the house of Lady Augusta
Yorke she encountered the head-master, who was walking towards his
home. He said "Good night" to Judith, as he passed her; but she
arrested him.
"We are in a fine way, sir! We can't find Master Charles."
"Not find Master Charles?" repeated Mr. Pye. "How do you mean?"
"Why, it happened in this way, sir," said Judith. "He was at his
lessons, as usual, with Master Tom, and he suddenly gets up and leaves
them, and goes out, without saying a word to nobody. That was at seven,
or a bit later; and he has never come in again."
"He must be staying somewhere," remarked Mr.
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