下载辰思小说免费APP
“Ofcoursetheydid；Isawthemgettingoverthewall，andsungoutthatitwasmostfive，andJackcalledbackthattheyweregoingtheotherway，“explainedTommy。
“Verywell，pileinthen，“andawayrattledthehay-cartwiththetiredchildrenandthefullpails。
Mrs。Jolookedsoberwhensheheardofthedivisionoftheparty，andsentFranzbackwithTobytofindandbringthelittleoneshome。Supperwasover，andthefamilysittingaboutinthecoolhallasusual，whenFranzcametrottingback，hot，dusty，andanxious。
“Havetheycome？“hecalledoutwhenhalf-wayuptheavenue。
“No!“andMrs。JoflewoutofherchairlookingsoalarmedthateveryonejumpedupandgatheredroundFranz。
“Ican’tfindthemanywhere，“hebegan；butthewordswerehardlyspokenwhenaloud“Hullo!“startledthemall，andthenextminuteJackandEmilcameroundthehouse。
“WhereareNanandRob？“criedMrs。Jo，clutchingEmilinawaythatcausedhimtothinkhisaunthadsuddenlylostherwits。
“Idon’tknow。Theycamehomewiththeothers，didn’tthey？“heanswered，quickly。
“No；GeorgeandTommysaidtheywentwithyou。“
“Well，theydidn’t。Haven’tseenthem。Wetookaswiminthepond，andcamebythewood，“saidJack，lookingalarmed，aswellhemight。
“CallMr。Bhaer，getthelanterns，andtellSilasIwanthim。“
ThatwasallMrs。Josaid，buttheyknewwhatshemeant，andflewtoobeyherorders。Intenminutes，Mr。BhaerandSilaswereofftothewood，andFranztearingdowntheroadonoldAndytosearchthegreatpasture。
Mrs。Jocaughtupsomefoodfromthetable，alittlebottleofbrandyfromthemedicine-closet，tookalantern，andbiddingJackandEmilcomewithher，andtherestnotstir，shetrottedawayonToby，neverstoppingforhatorshawl。Sheheardsomeonerunningafterher，butsaidnotawordtill，asshepausedtocallandlisten，thelightofherlanternshoneonDan’sface。
“Youhere!ItoldJacktocome，“shesaid，half-inclinedtosendhimback，muchassheneededhelp。
“Iwouldn’tlethim；heandEmilhadn’thadanysupper，andIwantedtocomemorethantheydid，“hesaid，takingthelanternfromherandsmilingupinherfacewiththesteadylookinhiseyesthatmadeherfeelasif，boythoughhewas，shehadsomeonetodependon。
Offshejumped，andorderedhimontoToby，inspiteofhispleadingtowalk；thentheywentonagainalongthedusty，solitaryroad，stoppingeverynowandthentocallandhearkenbreathlesslyforlittlevoicestoreply。
Whentheycametothegreatpasture，otherlightswerealreadyflittingtoandfrolikewill-o’-the-wisps，andMr。Bhaer’svoicewasheardshouting，“Nan!Rob!Rob!Nan!“ineverypartofthefield。Silaswhistledandroared，DanplungedhereandthereonToby，whoseemedtounderstandthecase，andwentovertheroughestplaceswithunusualdocility。OftenMrs。Johushedthemall，saying，withasobinherthroat，“Thenoisemayfrightenthem，letmecall；Robbywillknowmyvoice；“andthenshewouldcryoutthebelovedlittlenameineverytoneoftenderness，tilltheveryechoeswhispereditsoftly，andthewindsseemedtowaftitwillingly；
butstillnoanswercame。
Theskywasovercastnow，andonlybriefglimpsesofthemoonwereseen，heat-lighteningdartedoutofthedarkcloudsnowandthen，andafaintfar-offrumbleasofthundertoldthatasummer-stormwasbrewing。
“OmyRobby!myRobby!“mournedpoorMrs。Jo，wanderingupanddownlikeapaleghost，whileDankeptbesideherlikeafaithfulfire-fly。
“WhatshallIsaytoNan’sfatherifshecomestoharm？WhydidIevertrustmydarlingsofaraway？Fritz，doyouhearanything？“andwhenamournful，“No“cameback，shewrungherhandssodespairinglythatDansprungdownfromToby’sback，tiedthebridletothebars，andsaid，inhisdecidedway，；
“Theymayhavegonedownthespring；I’mgoingtolook。“
Hewasoverthewallandawaysofastthatshecouldhardlyfollowhim；
butwhenshereachedthespot，heloweredthelanternandshowedherwithjoythemarksoflittlefeetinthesoftgroundaboutthespring。Shefelldownonherkneestoexaminethetracks，andthensprungup，sa
