Page:Nattie Nesmith (1870).pdf/47

 she is not found to-morrow. We can not keep it from mother, and we ought not; yet I fear the effect of such tidings, in her present condition."

"If to-morrow's search does not result in Nattie's discovery, I shall telegraph for father to come home; and he will take whatever course he sees fit; although, as far as I am concerned, I should not be afraid to wait patiently a week or two, and trust to Nattie's coming back of her own accord, when she got over her freak, and considered that we were all sufficiently punished for our lack of care and attention to' her important little self; but I shall not dictate a course for her nearer relatives to pursue."

"Father would go frantic at any such proposal," said Susan. "I believe he thinks more of Nattie than of all the rest of us."

"No doubt he will make great efforts to discover her at once," said Mr. Stone; "yet he may have to wait the little lady's own time, after all. Nattie has both cunning and willfulness."