He then opened the door and went out, leaving poor Elsie pale, and trembling like a leaf.
The person, whoever it was, that had tried the door had gone away again, and Elsie had a few moments alone to recover herself, before Chloe came to tell her that her father could not have her with him that morning, as a gentleman had called on business.
And much as Elsie had always enjoyed that hour, she was almost glad of the respite, so fearful was she that her papa would see that something had agitated her, and insist upon knowing what it was.

She was very much troubled that she had been made the repository of such a secret, and fearful that she ought to tell her father or grandfather, because it seemed so very important that Arthur should be stopped in his evil courses.

But remembering that he had said that her assistance was his only hope for escaping detection, she at length decided that she need not speak about the matter to any one.
She had a trying time that day, endeavoring to keep the children amused; and her ingenuity and patience were taxed to the utmost to think of stories and games that would please them all.
It was still early in the afternoon when she seemed to have got quite to the end of her list.

She was trying to amuse Enna's set, while her three companions and Herbert were taking care of themselves.

They had sat down on the floor, and were playing jack-stones.
"Let us play jack-stones, too," said Flora.