If he had fallen out of the sky she could not have been more astonished.
"Where is your mother, child ?" he asked, trying to speak calmly.

With a backward look, as if she could not believe the evidence of her own sight, she led the way into the hall.
"Mothah! Mothah!" she called, pushing open the parlour door.

"Come heah, quick!" The Colonel, taking the hat from his white head, and dropping it on the floor, took an expectant step forward.

There was a slight rustle, and Elizabeth stood in the doorway.

For just a moment they looked into each other's faces.