She was just conscious when I called fore this morning to inquire, and they 'ad 'opes that she'd rally." "Then they have found her; but--but is she ill?
Did she get hurt ?--the river!--O Weller, do tell me quickly.

I came home on purpose to go to look for her.

Is she very ill ?" Poor Kitty was nearly exhausted with anxiety and the shocks she had received.
Weller looked puzzled.

"Why," he said slowly, "I never heard nothing about any river.

She was took ill and fell down in the room, missie.
Haven't you heard?
They told me they was going to tellygraff for you so soon as the office was open, 'cause your poor aunt said your name once or twice--almost the only words they've been able to make out since she was took ill; and with the master away and you the eldest, they thought you ought to be sent for." Then the rest of Betty's letter came back to her mind, and as the importance of it was borne in on her, Kitty's heart sank indeed in the face of such a double trouble.
"Oh, if only father were home!" was her first thought.