"Phineas, I think I'll go myself."
"Where?"
"To fetch Doctor Brown. If Tod is not come in it would be but a common charity. And I know the way."
"But the dark night?"
"Oh, no matter; the mare will be safer under me than a stranger. And though I have taken good care that the three horses in the tan-yard shall have the journey, turn and turn about; still it's a good pull from here to Norton Bury, and the mare's my favourite. I would rather take her myself."
I smiled at his numerous good reasons for doing such a very simple thing; and agreed that it was right and best he should do it.
"Then shall I call Mrs. Tod and inquire? Or perhaps it might make less fuss just to go and speak to her in the kitchen. Will you, Phineas, or shall I?"
Scarcely waiting my answer, we walked from our parlour into what I called the Debateable Land.
No one was there. We remained several minutes all alone, listening to the groaning overhead.
"That must be Mr. March, John."