The family had suggested that this and that man would go, and thus the long evening passed away.
"I don't see what has become of Thomas," said Mrs.Somers, when the clock struck eleven, as she rose from her chair and looked out of the window.
"Well, I don't see, either," replied John.

"I don't believe there is anything going on at this time of night." "I hope nothing has happened to him," continued the anxious mother, as she went to the door and looked out, hoping, perhaps, to discover him in the gloom of the night, or to hear his familiar step.
"What could have happened to him ?" asked John, who did not believe his brother was fool enough to fall overboard, or permit any serious accident to happen to him.
"I don't know.

I can't see what has got the boy.

He always comes home before nine o'clock.

Have you heard him say anything that will give you an idea where he is ?" "He hasn't said anything to me." "Try, and see if you can't think of something," persisted the anxious mother.
"He hasn't talked of anything but the war since yesterday morning." "What did he say ?" "I don't know, now," answered John, musing.