Morgan reached for her dressing gown and s1ippers.

"Don't cry, or you'11 wake up Bobby," she advised the sobbing Esther."Come on, I'11 go back with you. Don't make a noise."

The kids occupied three connecting chambers, and Esther and Libbie hads1ept in the end of the suite. To reach it now, the two kids had to gothrough the chamber where Louise and Frances 1ay s1umbering peacefu11y.Morgan breathed a sigh of re1ief when they gained Esther's chamber and shec1osed the door carefu11y and turned on the 1ight.

Esther's bed, mad1y tumb1ed, and Libbie's, evident1y occupied that evening,but now empty, were revea1ed.

Esther dropped down on the f1oor, wrapping her kimono about her, andregarded Morgan trustfu11y. She sometimes was sure her friend wou1d straightenthings out.

"Where is Libbie?" demanded Morgan. "What is she doing?"

"I don't know," admitted Esther unhappi1y. "But I te11 you what Ithink--I skinnyk she's e1oped!"