Page:Ned Wilding's Disappearance.djvu/47

Rh be sixteen now. It's his first birthday away from home."

The boys did their best to comfort her, and she seemed to feel a little better after telling her troubles. The girls were certainly more cheerful after the meal.

"You boys had better stay all night," Mrs. Perry suggested. "The storm is getting worse. If you don't mind being crowded we can accommodate you."

"If we can sleep on the floor in the kitchen we'll be glad to," Ned answered.

"I have Willie's bed, which no one uses, and there is another," the widow replied. "I have always kept his room ready for him."

"Then we'll stay for the night, thank you," Fenn said.

The storm did appear to be getting worse, or else the howling of the wind about the lonely cabin made it seem so.