'How can you think it, mother? I will come back, but it may be late.'
'I will keep awake for you, my darling. Say nothing more to your uncle. Promise me that, dear child.'
'I will not speak another word to him.'
I turned to Josey West; she divined what I was about to say.
'I'll stop with your mother, if you must go. Run round to my house first, and say I sha'n't be home to-night. And look here. If Turk's there, you'd best take him with you. I suppose you are going to Mr. Rackstraw's?
'That was my intention,' I said.
'Of course you know the office will be closed; but I daresay it will relieve your feelings to thump at the door.' She spoke fretfully; but her tone changed when she said, 'Don't think only of yourself. Have some thought for your mother.'
'One word, Josey. You have no idea where Jessie is?'
'Not the slightest,' she replied. 'And you didn't know she was going away?'
'I had no more idea of it than you had.'