"I'm here to look after baby. But of course since you've come——"
"No, no, you stay here; and go on with your dinner. They'll bring something for me directly."
He pulled up a chair and sat down.
"To sleep at Mrs. Valentine's? Has she often done that before when I've been away?"
"She used to as a girl sometimes, Mr. Imason; but no, never lately, I think—not since she married."
There were no signs of disturbance or distress about Mrs. Mumple. Grantley sat silent while the servant laid a place for him and promised some dinner in ten minutes.
"Has Sibylla been all right?"
"Oh, yes! A little fretful the last day or two, I think. But Mr. Blake came over from Fairhaven yesterday, and she had a nice walk with him; and she was with baby all the morning."
"All the morning? When did she go to Fairhaven?"
"I think it was about three o'clock. It's a terrible evening, Mr. Imason."