"Good-bye," said Mrs. van Cannan, and sank back among her pillows. As the children scampered out of the room, she called sharply, "Don't go near the dam, Roddy!"
Christine had heard her say that before, and always with that sharp inflection.
"I never let them go near the dam without me," she said reassuringly. Mrs. van Cannan did not answer, but a quiver, as if of pain, passed over her closed eyelids.
Outside in the passage, Roderick pressed close to Christine and murmured, with a sort of elfin sadness:
"Carol was drowned in the dam."
The girl was startled.
"Carol?" she echoed. "Who was Carol?"
"My big brother—a year older than me," he whispered. "He is buried out in the graveyard. I'll take you to see the place if you like. Let us go now."
Christine collected herself.
"We must go to lessons now, dear. Later on, you shall show me anything you like."