The other Middle Lotters had not paid attention to what was going on.

Perhaps once in a while one of the crowd would ask, "What has become of Churi all of a sudden ?" and another would answer, "He can go, wherever he likes," and they would turn again to their berries and think no more of him.
Meanwhile Sally had remained standing in the same spot and had waited for Erick's call.

When it did not come, she began to call, but received no answer.

She now called to Edi, and he came running with Ritz, and all three called together for Erick, but in vain.

The sun had long since set, and it was beginning to grow dark.