_Spirits Walk_
Mrs. Simpson and Granny Brent sat side by side on chairs that they must
have brought with them. Both looked pale, but the children's mother
smiled and held out her arms.
"Hello, children!"
Cindy and Alec rushed forward, and hugged and were hugged, and kissed
and were kissed by their mother. Cindy asked anxiously, "Where's Mindy?"
"I wish I knew," and Cindy and Alec discovered why their mother and
Granny Brent were pale. "She's lost. She went for a walk two hours ago,
shortly after we arrived, and she simply hasn't returned."
Cindy and Alec looked at each other. But, though both had the same
thoughts, to voice them would really worry their mother. Granny tried to
be very calm.
"Mindy must have got herself turned around and just didn't know how to
find her way back," she said. "Gramps and all the other men we could
find around are hunting for her, and I'm sure they'll find her."
"Of course they will," said Mrs. Simpson, but she sounded as though she
were trying to convince herself.
Alec said, "Dad and Mr. Brent are in Plains City waiting their turn to
record, Mother. They may be gone for almost two weeks more."
"I knew there was some good reason why your father did not come to get
us," his mother replied. "But I just couldn't stay away from my family
any longer. I'm here and I'd be so happy if only Mindy weren't lost."