“It was more the time that you spent with us here, when you were a little boy, than anything else, that established a relationship between you?”
“I suppose it was.”
“I think you are very much interested in people, and Lucilla says that you are very observant,” said Flora, smiling a little. “Would you mind telling me, quite dispassionately, if David was popular with other men—the officers in his regiment, for instance?”
He did not understand at what her question aimed, but replied with unhesitating candour.
“I should say he was very popular. He was a good sportsman, and everyone liked him, although as far as I know he wasn’t a man of intimate friendships. That type isn’t.”
“No. You see, Owen, there have been no letters from people who were in India with him, although you say he was popular. Only just those few lines from the Colonel. And I was afraid before—and I’m afraid now—” She stopped.
“Of what?”
“That it wasn’t dysentery, or anything like that. That they’re keeping the truth from us out of pity, or to save some scandal. I—I can’t get it out of my mind, Owen.”
He heard her with something that was not altogether surprise. Subconsciously, he felt that his own uneasiness had been only dormant.
“Have you anything beyond intuition, to go upon?”