"We need every minute." He stood a moment or two thinking deeply while Miss Brodie chatted eagerly with Rob, whose face retained its startled and anxious look.

"First to Mr.Rae's office.
Come!" cried Mr.Dunn.
"But this letter ought to go." "Yes, but first Mr.Rae's office." Mr.Dunn had assumed command.

His words shot out like bullets.
Miss Brodie glanced at him with a new admiration in her face.

As a rule she objected to being ordered about, but somehow it seemed good to accept commands from this young man, whose usually genial face was now set in such resolute lines.
"Here, Rob, you cut home and tell them not to wait dinner for me." "All right, Jack!" But instead of tearing off as was his wont whenever his brother gave command, Rob lingered.

"Can't I wait a bit, Jack, to see--to see if anything-- ?" Rob was striving hard to keep his voice in command and his face steady.