"How?"
"I felt I couldn't get to th' bottom of what old George was tellin' me. I took no notice then. But it seems funny now. An' I say—"
"What?"
"You'd 'a thought Monica or Katie might ha' driven to the Cross Roads for us, like we used to in Dad's days."
"Yes, I thought one of them would have been there."
The boys drove on, in tense silence, through the various gates. They could see the house ahead.
"There's Timothy," said Tom.
The old black was holding open the yard gate. He seemed to have almost forgotten Jack, but the emotion in his black, glistening eyes was strange, as he stared with strange adoration at the young master. He caught Tom's hand in his two wrinkled dark hands, as if clinging to life itself.
The twins ran out, waved, and ran back. Katie appeared, looking bigger, heavier, more awkward than ever. Tom patted Timothy's hands again, then went across and kissed Katie, who blushed with shyness.
"Where's Ma, Katie?"