"Very rough indeed."
"The wind rose quite suddenly this morning, and it's getting worse every minute."
Grantley made no answer. After a pause the old woman went on—
"I've got some news."
"News have you? What news?"
He was suddenly on the alert.
She glanced at the door to make sure the servant was not within hearing.
"Very great news for me, Mr. Imason. My dear husband's to come home three months sooner than I thought. I got a letter to say so just after Sibylla started."
"Oh, really! Capital, Mrs. Mumple!"
"It's only a matter of six months now. You can't think what I feel about it—now it's as near as that. I haven't seen him for hard on ten years. What will it be like? I'm full of joy, Mr. Imason; but somehow I'm afraid too—terribly afraid. The thought of it seems to upset me, and yet I can't think of anything else."