in
Somers came home at all, his property would all be swept away, and he
would be a beggar.

The events of that day were not calculated to conciliate Squire Pemberton
towards them, and the farm and the cottage would pass away from them. All
these things had been considered and reconsidered by the devoted mother.
Poverty and want seemed to stare her in the face; and to add to all these
troubles, Thomas did not come home, and, as fond mothers will, she
anticipated the worst.

John entered the kitchen, and carelessly flung his cap upon the table.
Mrs. Somers looked at him, and waited patiently to hear any intelligence
he might bring. But John threw himself into a chair, looking more gloomy
than before he left the house. He did not speak, and therefore he had no
good news to tell.

"You didn't see anything of him--did you?" asked Mrs. Somers; but it was a
useless question, for she had already interpreted the meaning of his
downcast looks.

"No, mother; there isn't a man, woman, or child stirring in the village;
and I didn't see a light in a single house."

"What do you suppose can have become of him?"

"I'm sure I don't know. Tom is old enough and smart enough to take care of
himself."

"It's very strange."

"So it is. I haven't any idea what has become of him."

"Did you look around Squire Pemberton's house, where he was seen last?"

"I looked about on both sides of the road, going and coming from the
Harbor. I whistled all the way, and if he had been any where round, he
would have whistled back, as he always does."

"What do you _suppose_ has become of him?" demanded the poor mother,
worried beyond expression at the mysterious disappearance of her son.

"I can't tell, mother."

"Don't you think we had better call up the neighbors, and have something
done about it?"

"I don't know," replied John, hardly less anxious than his mother.

"I don't suppose they would be able to find him if we did," added Mrs.
Somers, wiping away the tears from her face.

"I can't think anything has happened to him, mother. If he had been on the
water, or anything of that kind, I should feel worse about it."

"If I only knew where he was, I shouldn't feel so bad about it," said she;
and her position, certainly, was a reasonable one.

"What's the matter, sister?" called gran'ther Greene, from his chamber.
"Hasn't that boy got home yet?"

"No, he hasn't come yet, and I am worried to death about him," replied
Mrs. Somers, op