She pushed him aside and tried to walk across the loft, but her legs tottered under her and she fell down in a little senseless heap.  “Meg—­ I’ll fetch Meg,” said the little boy in a trembling, alarmed voice, and he slipped down the opening and hastened up to the house.

CHAPTER XI The Truant

He burst into Meg’s bedroom like a whirlwind.  “She’s in the old shed, Meg, and I’m not sure, but I think she’s gone mad; and I’ve had the awfullest beating, and got nearly killed with the cactus for her, and never told anything.  She can’t eat the corned beef, either, after all.  She’s run away—­and oh, I’m sure she’s mad!”

Meg lifted a pale, startled face from the pillows.  “Who on earth—­ what—–­”

“Judy,” he said, and burst into excited sobs.  “She’s in the shed, and I think she’s mad!”

Meg got slowly out of bed, huddled on some clothes, and even then utterly disbelieving the wild story, went downstairs with him.

In the hall they met their father, who was just going out.

“Are you better?” he said to Meg.  “You should have stayed in bed all day; however, perhaps the air will do you more good.”

“Yes,” she said mechanically.

“I’m going out for the rest of the day; indeed, I don’t expect either Esther or myself will be back till to-morrow morning.”

“Yes,” repeated Meg.

“Don’t let the children blow the house up, and take care of yourself—­oh! and send Bunty to bed without any tea—­he’s had enough for one day, I’m sure.”

“Yes,” said the girl again, only taking in the import of what the last pledged her to when Bunty whispered a fierce “Sneak!” at her elbow.

Then the dogcart rattled up; and the Captain went away, to their unspeakable relief.

“Now what is this mad story?” Meg said, turning to her small brother.  “I suppose it’s one of your untruths, you bad little boy.”

“Come and see,"’ Bunty returned, and he led the way through the paddocks.  Half-way down they met Pip and Nell, returning earlier than expected from the fishing expedition.  Nellie looked sad, and was walking at a respectful distance behind her brother.

“You might as well take a phonograph with you as Nellie,” he said, casting a look of withering scorn on that delinquent.  “She talked the whole time, and didn’t give me a chance of a bite.”

“Judy’s home,” said Bunty, almost bursting with the importance of his knowledge.  “No one’s seen, her but me; I’ve nearly got killed with climbing up cactuses and into windows and things, and I’ve had thrashings from Father and everything, but I never told a word, did I, Meg?  I’ve got her up in the shed here, and I went and got corned beef and everything just you look at my legs:” 

He displayed his scars proudly, but Meg hurried on, and Pip and Nell followed in blank amazement.  At the shed they stopped.