They reached home in a few minutes, and Lancy followed Dexie into the
house, saying:
"I must have the story from your lips before I leave you to-night, Dexie."
"Very well; but remember it is long past tea-time, and I am almost
famished."
The family had become very much alarmed at Dexie's prolonged absence, and
Mr. Sherwood had gone out to inquire if any accident had been reported on
the water. As Dexie entered the sitting-room, Gussie looked up in
surprise, as she saw who was Dexie's companion; she expected it would be
Hugh, and it was easy to see that she was not in the best of tempers.
"It is time you were home, miss," was her caustic remark. "It is a wonder
you are not ashamed of yourself to stay out till this hour! Just you wait
till papa comes home--he has been almost wild with fright; and you have
given mamma one of her nervous headaches, and she is quite ill; so you know
just what you may expect from her."
Dexie made no answer, but moved briskly from sideboard to closet,
collecting her supper.
"It would have been better for you if you had come home at the proper time
to your supper, instead of keeping us waiting for you, as you did," and a
torrent of complaints and reproaches were poured out, regardless of Lancy's
presence, till he was moved to reply:
"I think, Gussie, if you knew the cause of her detention, and how much she
has borne because of it, you would not say another unkind word to her
to-night.
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