PART 2
"Supper is getting cold!" called Asia from the dining room, and at once the table was filled with children, descending from all directions like hungry birds. They eagerly clutched forks and knives, and would have devoured everything right then and there, if Jo had not quickly taken her place at the head of the table.
"Patience, patience," Jo admonished the boys. "We must say grace first." Jo's face assumed a perplexed look.
"We seem to be missing someone," she said. "Where's Nan?"
"Probably still doin' chores," said Emil.
"Yeah," added Tommy. "You shoulda seen her this afternoon. Movin' like a freight train."
"She probably wishes to get a start on tomorrow's duties," offered Bess, "so we can spend extra time on the new stitching I plan to teach her."
"Nick," said Jo. "Go tell Nan to come to supper right away. We do not wish to be impolite and begin our meal without her."
The sunlight filtering through the dining room curtains was beginning to wane.
The passing minutes seemed to take forever as the children tried to remain mannerly. Nat tapped an index finger against a plate, keeping time to a melody which he ran through his head. Emil gripped his knife and imagined a swordfight with pirates on the high seas. Nick's shouts could be heard, growing fainter as he wandered farther from the house in his search for Nan.
Asia walked over to Jo. "You'd better let these little ones have supper before they start eating the utensils," she whispered.
Jo thought for a second, then nodded.
"Let us say grace," she began, almost adding "and pray for Nan's safe return."
She changed her mind, however, not wanting to alarm anyone. But she silently spoke this prayer herself, because she had a growing suspicion that Nan might have encountered trouble.
Jo and the others had just begun their meal when Nick walked in, the concern showing in his eyes. Jo looked up with a start and saw him beckoning to her and motioning towards the hallway. She quickly excused herself and stepped briskly after him.
She did not have to speak, for Nick already knew her question.
"Nope," Nick whispered. "Couldn't find hide nor hair of her. That's why I'm telling you this privately, so as not to worry the kids."
"Did you check the school, and the hayloft?" asked Jo.
"Been everywhere," replied Nick.
"Oh dear, she has run away again," said Jo, the distress evident in her voice. "But why?"
"Seemed happy to me," said Nick. "I thought this runnin' away problem was solved..."
"Apparently not." Jo paced frantically. "One of us must go into Concord to ask if anyone has seen her there," she said. "I say we still check every corner of Plumfield, too."
Nick nodded. "We hafta tell the kids something," he said. "We could use their help."
"Yes," Jo agreed. "We do need their assistance, but we must not frighten them.
Jo gave Nick a mournful look, and he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Come on," he said, reassuringly. "Let's explain our plan to the kids."
Jo decided that she would be the one to go into town. She left hurriedly in order to be back before nightfall. Nick outlined his plans to the boys as they finished their supper. He told them that Nan was probably just unaware of the time, or had fallen asleep somewhere, and that they would find her soon.
The boys were assigned to three search parties, with Dan in charge of one. Emil and Jack were each put in charge of a group of younger lads, Nick's objective being to keep the two separated. Even during this time of possible peril, he knew they could still be prone to mischief.
The bands of younger children were to stay near the house and search all of the buildings again. Dan's mission was to scour the outlying areas of Plumfield with his boys. Nick went off on his own, but stayed near enough to Dan's party in case they needed help.
"Hope we can find her before dark," Nick told himself. "Where could Nan have gone?"
PART 3
