I 'll step to Paul . He 's not asleep , I dare say . He 's a brave and a sensible lad , and with him I 'll quietly search the house . '' Away she went , more nervous than she would own , and tapped at the boy 's door . No one answered , and , seeing that it was ajar , Hester whisked in so hurriedly that her candle went out . With an impatient exclamation at her carelessness she glided to the bed , drew the curtain , and put forth her hand to touch the sleeper . The bed was empty . A disagreeable thrill shot through her , as she assured herself of the fact by groping along the narrow bed . Standing in the shadow of the curtain , she stared about the dusky room , in which objects were visible by the light of a new moon . `` Lord bless me , what is the boy about ! I do believe it was him I saw in the -- '' She got no further in her mental exclamation for the sound of light approaching footsteps neared her . Slipping around the bed she waited in the shadow , and a moment after Paul appeared , looking pale and ghostly , with dark , disheveled hair , wide-open eyes , and a cloak thrown over his shoulders . Without a pause he flung it off , laid himself in bed , and seemed to sleep at once . `` Paul ! Paul ! '' whispered Hester , shaking him , after a pause of astonishment at the whole proceeding . `` Hey , what is it ? '' And he sat up , looking drowsily about him . `` Come , come , no tricks , boy . What are you doing , trailing about the house at this hour and in such trim ? ''
`` Why , XXXXX , is it you ? ''
Hester Lord Paul candle cloak exclamation house one pause shoulders