"Why have you sent a message to Wavertree ?" But Grant pursed up her lips and would say no more, and Hetty saw her pass into Mrs.Rushton's room and close the door.
The child crept back to the drawing-room, where no lamps had been lighted and there was only a little firelight to make the darkness and emptiness of the large room more noticeable.

She knelt down on the hearth-rug and buried her face in the seat of Mrs.Rushton's favourite arm-chair.

The dearest of all her dear dogs, Scamp, came and laid his black muzzle beside her ear, as if he knew the whole case and wanted to mourn with her.

Two hours passed; Hetty listened intently for every sound, and wondered impatiently why Mr.and Mrs.Enderby did not arrive.
She got up and carefully placed some lumps of coal on the fire, making no noise lest some one should come and order her off to bed.

She was resolved to stay there all night rather than go to bed without learning something more.
At last a sound of wheels was heard, and Hetty went and peeped out of the drawing-room door and saw Mr.and Mrs.Enderby taking off their wraps in the hall.