"If there's anything you can do for him, you'd better do it," she said. "I don't think he'll last the night."
Mavis and Merle saw for themselves that if mother and son were to meet again on earth they must fetch Mrs. Jarvis quickly. How could they get her to Durracombe in the shortest possible time? Outside the hospital door they held a whispered consultation. Uncle David and the little Deemster car were fifteen miles away, at Halford. They must find some other means of conveyance. They went, therefore, to the Swan Hotel, where motors were to be hired, and explained the urgency of their errand. The manageress shook her head.
"YOU KNOW CHAGMOUTH?" HE WHISPERED
"Mr. Johnson's out himself with the four-seater, and Bates has gone to the station with the little car to meet a lady and take her to Rushton. There's only the old Ford left, and no one to drive it."
"A Ford! May I look at it?" said Merle eagerly.
"You can if you like."
The car was standing in the yard, rather a shabby specimen, but in workable order. Merle examined it carefully.