When I left here Dora was playing with her doll in the kitchen and Davy was making mud pies behind the barn . I only got home half an hour ago ... and no Dora to be seen . Davy declares he never saw her since I left . '' `` Neither I did , '' avowed Davy solemnly . `` She must be somewhere around , '' said Anne . `` She would never wander far away alone ... you know how timid she is . Perhaps she has fallen asleep in one of the rooms . '' Marilla shook her head . `` I 've hunted the whole house through . But she may be in some of the buildings . '' A thorough search followed . Every corner of house , yard , and outbuildings was ransacked by those two distracted people . Anne roved the orchards and the Haunted Wood , calling Dora 's name . Marilla took a candle and explored the cellar . Davy accompanied each of them in turn , and was fertile in thinking of places where Dora could possibly be . Finally they met again in the yard . `` It 's a most mysterious thing , '' groaned Marilla . `` Where can she be ? '' said Anne miserably `` Maybe she 's tumbled into the well , '' suggested Davy cheerfully . Anne and Marilla looked fearfully into each other 's eyes .
The thought had been with them both through their entire search but neither had dared XXXXX put it into words .
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