ematis, and she went slowly to her room.

Before long, all was ready, and dinner was on the table.

"Now, let's eat a big dinner. I roasted a chicken especially for
you."

How good the roast chicken smelled! There were baked potatoes, and
peas, and beans, too.

Clematis was hungry now. She ate, and ate, and ate.

"Good girl." Mr. Alder patted her on the head. "Travelers must be
well fed."

"Be sure to wash all the blueberry off your mouth," added Mrs.
Alder, as Clematis got down.

Clematis went to the sink and washed her face and hands. Then she
went to the back door.

"Don't forget Deborah's satin dress, and velvet hat?" called Mr.
Alder.

She turned and smiled back at him, as she went out.

Soon Mr. Ladd drove up.

"I came a bit early," he said. "I've got some milk for the Seminary.
Is Clematis ready?"

"Yes, all ready, I guess. She just went out to get her cat."

Mrs. Alder went to the back door and called.

She waited a minute, but Clematis did not come.

She called again. No Clematis. "Please go and get her, Henry," she
said to Mr. Alder. "Tell her to come right in."

After a few minutes Mr. Alder came back. He looked puzzled.

"Well, where is Clematis?" asked Mrs. Alder.

"I don't know."

"Don't know? Isn't she in the loft?"

"No."

"Well, perhaps she went to say goodby to the pigs."

"She isn't there."

"She must be around here somewhere. She has no wings; she can't
fly."

"I'm not so sure of that." Mr. Alder smiled in a puzzled way at Mr.
Ladd.

"That's just like you men."

Mrs. Alder went to the door and called as loudly as she could. Then
she went to the barn and called again.

She looked all about. Mr. Alder looked all about. Mr. Ladd looked
all about.

They all called once more.

It was of no use. Clematis was gone.

CHAPTER XVIII

HUNTING FOR CLEMATIS

Mr. Alder looked at Mr. Ladd. Mr. Ladd looked at Mrs. Alder. They
all looked at each other.

What should they do?

"Well," said Mrs. Alder at last, "you drive down street with Mr.
Ladd and find out if any one has seen her. I will look all about the
farm."

The men had not gone far down the street when they met a boy.

"Hi, Ned! have you seen our little girl?" called Mr. Alder.

"Who, Clematis? Have you lost her?"

"No, she has lost herself. Have you seen her?"

"My gracious, no." His blue eyes opened almost as wide as butter
plates.

"Well, tell any one you see that she's lost; that's a good b