In the next few days, Joseph Lancaster was not seen during meals. It wasn't until the weekend, when Violet Zimmerman got up late and came over to the old man's place to eat, that she encountered Joseph Lancaster.
Joseph happened to be riding his bicycle over and wanted to turn around when he saw Violet walking out of the gate, but it was too late.
Seeing that it was only Violet alone exiting, his panic lessened a bit. He originally planned to pretend not to see her and just ride past, but his actions betrayed his thoughts.
The young man pulled his brake and stopped in front of Violet with a screech, startling her so much that she halted in her tracks.
Holding the handlebars with both hands, one foot supporting on the ground while the other was on the pedal, Joseph turned his head and asked,
"Where is my brother?"
"Oh, your brother went on a business trip last night."
