Mrs. Leighton came in to inquire of Mabel why Cuthbert had not returned. Cuthbert, by some years the eldest of the family, had attained great brilliance as a medical student, and now worked at pathology in order to qualify as a specialist. His studies kept him intermittently at home, but to-day he had been down early from town and had gone out bicycling with George Maclean.
"Cuthbert!" exclaimed Mabel. "Why, I can't think--why, where's Cuthbert?"
"Why, yes, where's Cuthbert?" said Jean.
Their minute differences had engaged their minds so fully, that no one had really begun to wonder about Cuthbert until that moment.
"He is always in such good time," said Mrs. Leighton in a puzzled way. "Didn't he say to any one that he would be late?"
No one knew anything about him. They speculated, and collected at the dinner-table still speculating. Even Cousin Harry knew nothing of him, but that, of course, was because of the flower show. While the meal was in progress, Mr. Maclean appeared quietly in the room. He had prepared a little speech for Mrs. Leighton, but it died on his lips as he saw her face. It was a curious thing, as they afterwards reflected, that Mr. Maclean went on speaking to Mrs. Leighton as though she knew of everything that had happened to Cuthbert.
"He is all right, Mrs. Leighton, but he wouldn't let me bring him in until I told you that he was all right."
"Bring him in----"
It seemed to the Leightons that Mr. Maclean had been standing all his life in their dining-room saying that Cuthbert was all right, but wouldn't be "brought in."
Mr. Leighton put down his table napkin in a methodical manner.