Mr. Bateson met them, coming from the bedroom door, and his face gained a look of relief the moment his eyes fell on Mildred. "That's right," he said. "I can't get Mrs. Groates away, but she must have somebody with her. You can do it?" questioningly, like the Vicar.
"Yes, sir."
"True woman, ready at a pinch!" murmured the doctor.
"According to that definition, a good many women in the world are not true women," the Vicar remarked, in a tone of consideration.
"Very much the other way. It all depends," the doctor said. "If a woman thinks first of herself, she is useless; if she thinks of others, she is able to do anything."
"Sad day for these poor Groateses!" sighed the Vicar. "Everybody will feel for them. I don't fancy many knew Groates well, but his wife has won golden opinions, and Jack. By-the-bye, where is Jack?"
"Gone to the farther end of New Maxham. I don't think he is expected back for another hour or two,—unless the news reaches him. Stobbs ought to take warning from this, and not let his lads drive at such a reckless pace. If the poor fellow's head had not struck the curb-stone, he might have got off with broken ribs. I suppose there is no more I can do now. I'll look in by-and-by, just to see how Mrs. Groates is. She may suffer later from her courage now."
Mr. Bateson disappeared, and the Vicar waited for what seemed to him a long time. At length the bedroom door opened, and Mrs. Groates came out with Mildred.
"It's all done, sir, now," Mrs. Groates said, facing the Vicar. She was very pale, and her eyes had a curious fixed look, as if she hardly knew how to open them properly; but her voice and manner were composed. "Miss Pattison says she'll stay and have a cup of tea with me."
"Yes, yes, quite right. I knew you would find Miss Pattison a help. And . . . one question, Mrs. Groates,—if you don't mind. Can you tell me where Jack has gone?"