Page:Left to Themselves (1891).djvu/243

 You will see. Gerald has known but very little about it; I don't intend he shall know much more. But, as to the main point, if Mr. Jennison should find us here, I don't know what might happen. He must not find us. We are in a queer pickle, without any worse troubles. His landing here before we can get away, or his learning that Gerald and I have spent this time in the house with you, would make our fix far worse, I know. We must get to Chantico and Knoxport to-morrow, if the weather will let us even try it. And if this Mr. Belmont—Jennison, I mean—comes here before you hear from me, you must not let him know we were with you or in this neighborhood. After we once meet Gerald's people it can't make any difference. More still, after that, it may be, I'd like to have a chance to talk to him myself, bad as he is. But, for the present, he must not hear our names breathed."

"Well, this is sudden!" Obed ejaculated. "But—"

"Hush," exclaimed Mrs. Probasco, going softly to the hall. "I thought I heard Gerald speaking. No, he's all right," she returned, quickly.