"Yes, Mina goes right back to the beginning of the thing."
"And the thing, as you call it, is what brought us here together. So Mina seems to have had something to do with that too. It all comes back to me when I look at her, and I like to have her here."
"Well, she's part of the family story now. And she'll probably keep a journal and make entries about us, like the late Mr Cholderton, and some day be edited by a future Mr Neeld. Mina must stop, that's clear."
"It's clear anyhow—because nothing would make her go," said Cecily.
"Let's go up the hill and see her now?" he suggested.
Together they climbed the hill and reached the terrace. There were people in the drawing-room, and Harry signed to Cecily to keep out of sight. They approached stealthily.
"Who's with her? I didn't know anyone was staying here," whispered Cecily.
Harry turned his face toward her, smiling. "Hush, it's old Neeld!"
They peeped in. Neeld was sitting in an arm-chair with some sheets of paper in his hand. He had his spectacles on and apparently had been reading something aloud to Mina; indeed they heard his voice die away just as they came up. Mina stood in front of him, her manner full of her old excitement.