'She had a letter from his mother that she thought he ought to see. She told me what she intended.'
'Queer people, to find such a channel of communication,' said Bill, gruffly. 'And that was all?'
'The whole.'
'Well! I never meant to act the spy; but I'll tell you how it was, Felix. I had heard all Milwright's prose, and was sick of all the humbug; so I went into your study for a little peace, and there I heard Theodore fretting awfully in the next room—'
'I know. You were so kind as to take him out.'
'He wanted you, and he wanted to be out; and he was plagued and bothered at so many strangers about, and Sibby was nearly demented with having to keep him quiet and wash up the thingumbobs. So this watch—it belongs to John, came from his aunt's; but I've got it while mine is refitting—and it plays all manner of tunes. Theodore will come anywhere after it; so I got him into the kitchen-garden, thinking there would be peace there, and into the old root-house, and there what does he do but go to sleep on my knee!'
'Yes; he had had a bad night. I was writing later than was good for him, and he was excited by the preparations.'
'So while I was pinned down, I saw—from the little window—those two walking up and down at the further end of the garden,' and he made a gesture of utter despair. 'It was no good showing myself—I was out of hearing; but—And so,' he added, 'I thought if I could anyway conduce to making him fit for her, it was all I could do for her.'
'Very kind! but you might have trusted her!'
'Trust! If I had any right!'