She lightly stepped across the sitting-room and looked in at the open door.

There was no one, and the bed had not been used.

Her first thought was that her mother had gone to the pool; and the Limberlost was alive with signals.

Pity and fear mingled in the heart of the girl.

She opened the kitchen door, crossed the garden and ran back to the swamp.
As she neared it she listened, but she could hear only the usual voices of night.
"Mother!" she called softly.