They listened in vain, and consulted all the clocks in the house.
"It's certainly after ten," said Mrs.Woodward.

"I'm afraid something must have happened! I hope Mr.James isn't ill.

Well, we'd better go at any rate, and see what's the matter." So the family, which was ready in its best Sunday garments, sallied forth.

Ashbourne Church stood a whole mile away from the village, in a lonely spot with only a couple of cottages near it.

The Woodwards took a short cut across the common from Highfield, so that they did not pass any houses or meet any neighbors by the way.