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.