d have spoken sooner, that any
protest from her at present would come too late.

With all her listlessness vanished Kara was leaning forward, her eyes
on the speaker, while the other Girl Scouts appeared almost equally
interested.

CHAPTER XII

RETROSPECTION

"Now that I look back, the room seems to have been extraordinarily
clean under the circumstances, although it was bare and poor," Mr.
Hammond continued. "There was just a bed and some chairs and a table.
You were lying on the bed, Kara, and if you had objected to being left
alone, you were perfectly agreeable and sweet tempered after I made
your acquaintance. I remember you were extremely amiable during our
ride together into Westhaven. You gave me an impression which I still
carry with me that you would meet most situations with grace and good
sense."

Mr. Hammond began wandering about the room. He appeared embarrassed by
the intensity of Kara's attitude and the conviction that possibly he
had not chosen a wise time or place for his revelation.

In fact, he had no intention of speaking of the matter at all.
Surprise at finding himself a visitor to the girl in the same spot
where he had discovered her as a baby had influenced his discretion.

"Is there anything else you could tell me, Mr. Hammond? You need not
regret having spoken before the other girls. They are my friends and
really know as much of my history as I know, there is so little
information I have ever received."

"No, I am afraid not, Kara, I am sorry. Now and then I have considered
that possibly we did not make a sufficiently thorough investigation.
Yet I do not honestly believe this. At the time I searched the room
thoroughly. I waited, thinking that in all probability some one would
come back for you. Then, when I gave up this idea and took you with me
to Westhaven, we did not fail in making another effort.

"Dr. McClain, I recall, insisted upon this and we came out here
together. Moreover, we left a letter stating that if any one desired
to find you, information could be had of Dr. McClain in Westhaven."

"There does not seem to be any doubt, no one ever did return and no
one ever wished to find me. I have always thought, almost hoped that
my mother and father were dead," Kara answered.

No one else had spoken during the grave and dramatic conversation
between Kara and Mr. Hammond. In fact, Kara herself had said little.
Now her words affected the room filled with her friends w