But though it was now past five o'clock, there was no sign of Cherry or her rushes, and Keziah looked both surprised and uneasy.
"Belike she came in with dirty clogs and skirt, and has gone up to her bed chamber to change them, for fear of Aunt Susan telling her she was cluttering up the parlour," said the sister, anxiously.

"I will run and see.

Sure she can never have lingered so late beside the river! The sun has been long down, and the fog is rising." Keziah tripped upstairs lightly enough, but speedily came down with a grave face.
"She is not there," was her answer to Jacob's glance of inquiry.
"What must we do?
If we make a coil about it, and she comes in, having only gossiped awhile with the neighbours along the bridge, aunt will surely chide her sharply, and send her to bed supperless.
But if she should have met some mischance--" and Keziah broke off, looking frightened enough, for it was no light matter to meet mischance alone and unprotected in the dark.
"I will go forth to seek her," cried Jacob, with unwonted animation.

"It boots not for a man to be abroad after dark, but for a maid it is an ill tiding indeed.

Which way went she?
to the osier beds! Sure I must find her ere long.