‘In the back bedroom, father. He is not seriously hurt.’
‘I will go up and have a look at him,’ said Raphael, actuated apparently by mere idle curiosity.
‘No, father, don’t!’ Teresa pleaded. ‘Bridget is looking after him, and I believe he is just going to sleep.’
Raphael gave a gesture of assent
‘And now, sir,’ he said to Richard, opening the drawing-room door, ‘a word with you.’
The two men passed into the drawing-room. Raphael was closing the door when Teresa stepped forward.
‘I also have a word to say, father,’ she remarked firmly.
‘Say it to me afterwards, then,’ he replied briefly.
‘No. It is a word that must be said now.’
The old man, smiling slightly and ironically, pulled the door open and allowed his daughter to enter the room.