Bram looked worried. "Has she killed someone?" Because members of his family killed someone and got hanged for it every so often, right?

Elijah rose his brow, "no. Certainly not." At least he was certain not. She was very nice and gentle, but usually so was Anne though she certainly did strike out in anger. He was sure that they wouldn't hide that sort of secret though. "We still need to find her."

Bram thought. "Maybe they've gone home."

Elijah didn't look certain but nodded. "We can check." It was worth trying. He'd been there but maybe they came back.

Bram led the way to their yard, just as his father approached them.
"What's going on, Elijah?" his voice was still somewhat hoarse.

Elijah moved to Ben quickly. "You should be in bed, are you alright? H-have you seen Anne or Alice?" He finally asked, feeling like a failure that he'd lost control of the situation so badly.

"Not since early this morning when I sent them over." Ben said. He ignored the reprimand. "Maggie says you had sent Bram looking for them. And Will says you had called for a doctor. That Alice wasn't well. What happened?"

Elijah didn't want to reveal too much, he didn't even know for certain but... " I don't know. Alice panicked, and didn't want a doctor. She ran and when I caught her, Anne said she'd stay with her to wait for the doctor. I haven't seen them since." He hung his head as regret filled his features. "I'm sorry. I'm looking everywhere."

"You did! Anne found us and she hit me, father!" Bram complained.
Ben looked from Elijah to his son, confused. "Well, I'm sorry she did. She shouldn't have." He finally told his son. "But we must find them to hear her side of the story, mustn't we?" He looked back at Elijah. "Why didn't Alice want -,"
But Bram interrupted: "She's growing fat!"
Ben's eyes suddenly widened and he put a hand over his mouth and he looked at Elijah for answers - or confirmation, rather.

Elijah's eyes widened and he shook his head. "We don't know that. We don't know anything. She hasn't admitted to anything, and we can't find anything out. There was just a theory made by me and Anne. I promise Ben, don't jump to conclusions. Whatever is wrong with her is hard enough as it is."