The sun was shining with slanting mid-afternoon rays down among the trees by the creek.

I looked for Virginia; but she was not about the wagon, neither sitting in the spring seat, nor on her box-by the fire, nor under her favorite crabapple-tree.

I looked boldly in the wagon, without the timid tapping which I had always used to announce my presence--for what did I care now for her privacy ?--but she was not there.

I began searching for her along the creek in the secluded nooks which abounded, and at last I heard her voice.
I was startled.

To whom could she be speaking?
I would have nobody about, now.