"It means black ruin for us all, Mark," reiterated the High-Bailiff with sombre despair, "I must go and speak of it with your mother."
"My mother is sick and anxious," said Mark quietly, "she cannot help what Laurence has done--you and I, father, can talk things over quietly without her."
"There is nothing that you can say, Mark ... there is nothing we can do ... save, perhaps, pack up a few belongings and clear out of the country as quickly as we can ... that is, if there is time!"
"Your imagination does not carry you very far, meseems," quoth Mark dryly. "Laurence's default is not irreparable."
"What do you mean?"
"Am I not here to put it right?"
"What?--you?"
"By your leave."
"You, Mark!"
VI