"Yes."
"Where has he gone?"
"Abroad," in a very low voice.
"What did you say?" wheeling his chair round towards her in quite a fierce way. "Why can't you speak out properly?"
"Ralph has gone abroad."
"Gone abroad! Whatever for?"
"To start a business, I suppose."
"Well, you do astonish me. I think he might have come up to bid me 'good-bye,' that I do. And what part has he gone to?"
"To Australia, I think."
"You 'think'! Really, Phebe, you are most exasperating. What are you keeping back?"