下载辰思小说免费APP
’Yes，yes，’saidLoveday；andtheydescendedintothegarden。
Heretheyturnedoversundryflatstonesandkilledtheslugsshelteredbeneaththemfromthecomingheatoftheday，talkingofslugsinalltheirbranches——ofthebrownandtheblack，ofthetoughandthetender，ofthereasonwhythereweresomanyinthegardenthatyear，ofthecomingtimewhenthegrass-walksharbouringthemweretobetakenupandgravellaid，andoftherelativelyexterminatorymeritsofapairofscissorsandtheheeloftheshoe。
Atlastthemillersaid，’Well，really，Bob，I’mhungry；wemustbeginwithouther。’
Theywereabouttogoin，whenDavidappearedwithhasteinhismotions，hiseyeswiderverticallythancrosswise，andhischeeksnearlyallgone。
’Maister，I’vebeentocallher；andas’adidn’tspeakIrapped，andas’adidn’tanswerIkicked，andnotbeinglatchedthedooropened，and——she’sgone！’
Bobwentofflikeaswallowtowardsthehouse，andthemillerfollowedliketheratherheavymanthathewas。ThatMissMatildawasnotinherroom，orascrapofanythingbelongingtoher，wassoonapparent。Theysearchedeveryplaceinwhichshecouldpossiblyhideorsqueezeherself，everyplaceinwhichshecouldnot，butfoundnothingatall。
CaptainBobwasquitewildwithastonishmentandgrief。Whenhewasquitesurethatshewasnowhereinhisfather’shouse，heranintoMrs。Garland’s，andtellingthemthestorysohastilythattheyhardlyunderstoodtheparticulars，hewentontowardsComfort’shouse，intendingtoraisethealarmthere，andalsoatMitchell’s，Beach’s，Cripplestraw’s，theparson’s，theclerk’s，thecampofdragoons，ofhussars，andsoonthroughthewholecounty。Buthepaused，andthoughtitwouldbehardlyexpedienttopublishhisdiscomfitureinsuchaway。IfMatildahadleftthehouseforanyfreakishreasonhewouldnotcaretolookforher，andifherdeedhadatragicintentshewouldkeepalooffromcampandvillage。
InhistroublehethoughtofAnne。Shewasanicegirlandcouldbetrusted。Toherhewent，andfoundherinastateofexcitementandanxietywhichequalledhisown。
’’Tissolonelytocruiseforherallbymyself！’saidBobdisconsolately，hisforeheadallinwrinkles，’andI’vethoughtyouwouldcomewithmeandcheertheway？’
’Whereshallwesearch？’saidAnne。
’O，intheholesofrivers，youknow，anddownwells，andinquarries，andovercliffs，andlikethat。YoureyesmightcatchtheloomofanybitofashawlorbonnetthatIshouldoverlook，anditwoulddomearealservice。Pleasedocome！’
SoAnnetookpityuponhim，andputonherhatandwent，themillerandDavidhavinggoneoffinanotherdirection。Theyexaminedtheditchesoffields，BobgoingroundbyonefenceandAnnebytheother，tilltheymetattheoppositeside。Thentheypeepedunderculverts，intoouthouses，anddownoldwellsandquarries，tillthetheoryofatragicalendhadnearlyspentitsforceinBob’smind，andhebegantothinkthatMatildahadsimplyrunaway。However，theystillwalkedon，thoughbythistimethesunwashotandAnnewouldgladlyhavesatdown。
’Now，didn’tyouthinkhighlyofher，MissGarland？’heinquired，asthesearchbegantolanguish。
’Oyes，’saidAnne，’veryhighly。’
’Shewasreallybeautiful；nononsenseaboutherlooks，wasthere？’
’None。Herbeautywasthoroughlyripe——nottooyoung。Weshouldallhavegottoloveher。Whatcanhavepossessedhertogoaway？’
’Idon’tknow，and，uponmylife，IshallsoonbedrovetosayI
don’tcare！’repliedthematedespairingly。’Letmepilotyedownoverthosestones，’headded，asAnnebegantodescendaruggedquarry。Hesteppedforward，leaptdown，andturnedtoher。
Shegavehimherhandandsprangdown。Beforeherelinquishedhishold，CaptainBobraisedherfingerstohislipsandkissedthem。
’O，CaptainLoveday！’criedAnne，snatchingawayherhandingenuinedismay，whileatearroseunexpectedlytoeacheye。’Ineverheardofsuchathing！Iwon’tgoaninchfurtherwithyou，sir；itistoobarefaced！’Andsheturnedandranoff。
’UponmylifeIdidn’tmeanit！’saidtherepentantcaptain，hast
