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 after, missed her, but supposed that she was somewhere in the house, and would be ready to join the family at the evening meal, which she now busied herself in preparing.

When Mr. Stone and his wife were called to supper, no Nattie was to be found.

"Shure, an' what shall we be afther doin'?" said Biddy. "The child must be gone clane daft, to clear out when she knew I was goin' to bake waffles for tay; for she is more fond o' them nor nothin' else."

"Leave her alone," said Susan. "She is angry because I reproved her for disobeying mother, and thus causing her sickness. No doubt she has hid away, thinking that we shall be alarmed, and search for her. I know Nattie's ways pretty well. She will come back when she sees that no notice is taken of her absence. But don't let it come to mother's knowledge that she is missing; it might cause her unnecessary worry."

"It is meself that will be careful that it don't