"He's waitin' i' the hoose."
"Then ask him to come out here."
In a few moments a tall dark-featured man was standing by Rowena's chair, looking down on her with pity and concern in his eyes.
Rowena held out her hand and smiled in her radiant fashion.
"I am an old crock, but I can talk if I can do nothing else. We do know each other, though it is many years since we met. May I welcome you back? You have been away a long time, have you not?"
"I remember you well," was his prompt reply. "I only saw you once, but your eyes haunted me. I have never seen such joyous ones since; and they are still the same. What has happened to you, may I ask?"
"A spill out riding."
"But you're not alone here? Where's your brother?"
"In India. I am carrying out my doctor's directions. I have no temptations in this quiet spot to evade them. Will you sit down?"
He took the garden chair close to her.