Although I was in the room when he ran out of it, I was
buried in my own thoughts, and never observed his going. I had no
suspicion anything was astir that night with the college boys. Father,
I would have saved his life with my own!"
"I am not blaming you for the fact, Hamish; blame is not due to you.
Had I been at home myself, I might no more have stopped his going out
than you did. But you ought to have informed me of this instantly. A
whole month, and I to be left in ignorance!"
"We did it for the best. Father, I assure you that not a stone has been
left unturned to find him; alive, or--or dead. You could not have done
more had you hastened home; and it has been so much suspense and grief
spared to you."
Mr. Channing relapsed into silence. Hamish glanced uneasily to that
ever-advancing clock. Presently he spoke.
"My mother must be told before Tom comes home. It will be better that
you take the task upon yourself, father. Shall I send her in?"
Mr. Channing looked at Hamish, as if he scarcely understood the meaning
of the words. From Hamish he looked to the clock. "Ay; go and send
her."
Hamish went to his mother's room, and returned with her. But he did not
enter. He merely opened the door, and shut her in. Constance, with a
face more frightened than ever, came and stood in the hall. Annabel
stood there also. Judy, wringing her hands, and sending off short
ejaculations in an undertone, came to join them, and Sarah stood
peeping out from the kitchen door.
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