The voice of her mother calling her from the stairway decided her, and she went in.
Mrs.Ellis and Caddy wept freely on learning from Esther the destruction of their home.

This cause of grief, added to the anxiety produced by the prolonged absence of Mr.Ellis, rendered them truly miserable.
Whilst they were condoling with one another, Mr.Walters returned.

He was unable to conceal his fears that something had happened to Mr.Ellis, and frankly told them so; he also gave a detailed account of what had befallen the Garies, to the great horror and grief of all.
As soon as arrangements could be made, Mr.Walters and Esther set out in search of her father.

All day long they went from place to place, but gained no tidings of him; and weary and disheartened they returned at night, bringing with them the distressing intelligence of their utter failure to procure any information respecting him..