"No, no, dear," said he, "but it's a horrid night. The snow may be lying very thick, and perhaps she has lost her path. There's no anxiety."
Gertrude looked down with a little impatience at her long-limbed lover.
"Reggie, you goose, why didn't you remember she hadn't come in?"
Reggie looked up.
"I thought nothing about it. There are lots of cottages about. It was stupid of me to forget. Can I do anything, father? Shall I go out with the men?"
He was perfectly willing to do quite cheerfully all that was required of him, and he would have got back into his damp shooting clothes, and left this comfortable hall and Gertrude without a murmur.
"No, never mind," said he. "I think I shall go with them, because I couldn't keep quiet at home. But I wish you'd remembered sooner."
Reggie had risen and was standing by the fireplace.
"I wish you'd let me go, instead of you," he said.
"No; there's no need whatever. I only go for my own sake."