Fulvia took stand as a sister in the household. She had wondered a little, privately, whether after this long break he would greet her precisely as in their boy and girl days; but it seemed that the idea of a change had never occurred to him.
"I am sure you are not well," repeated Nigel.
"Mother has been so worried waiting for you."
It was Anice who said this. Nobody but tactless Anice, not even the impulsive Daisy, would have said the words. Indignant fire shot from Fulvia's eyes; and Nigel stood looking down upon his mother's face, beautiful even when fixed and colourless, with an air grieved, and yet absent. He could not shake off the cloud which he had carried away from the Rectory.
"I am sorry to have worried you," he said. "Pollard was quick, and I have been longer than I meant."
"You found the train after all," Fulvia observed.
"Yes, at the last moment."
"How about meals? Have you had anything to eat?"
"Yes, thanks; as much as I want."
"You are sure?" his mother said in her low voice. She had scarcely spoken hitherto.