"It is better, I feel, to go immediately. I have an appointment with the lawyer for the bank at a quarter of five." He put out his hand again for his nephew's. "Daniel, you are a good man," he added, as he turned away.
Not until a moment later, when he was in the hall, did Ordway remember that he had left Alice crouched on the floor, and coming back he lifted her into his arms. "It is all right, Alice, don't cry," he said, as he kissed her. Then turning from her, with a strange dullness of sensation, he crossed the hall and entered his room, where he found Lydia still lying with her face hidden in the cushions of the chair.
At his step she looked up and put out her hand, with an imploring gesture.
"Daniel!" she called softly, "Daniel!"
Before replying to her he went to his bureau and hurriedly packed some clothes into a bag. Then, with the satchel still in his hand, he came over and stopped beside her.
"I can't wait to explain, Lydia; Uncle Richard will tell you," he said.
"You are going away? Do you mean you are going away?" she questioned.
"To-morrow you will understand," he answered, "that it is better so."
For a moment uncertainty clouded her face; then she raised herself and leaned toward him.
"But Alice? Does Alice go with you?" she asked.