When he had not appeared at three o'clock, Mrs. Lister passed from a state of anger into one of acute anxiety. She could not rest, could not lie down, could not sew. The heat was intolerable. She sought her husband in his study.
"Where is Richard?" she demanded. "What has got into the boy? Last evening he insulted Cora Scott by walking out as soon as he had had his supper, and now he has gone away, apparently to stay all day, without saying a word to his mother."
Dr. Lister looked up, startled.
"Hasn't he come?"
"He hasn't been here since eight o'clock this morning!"
"He can't be very far away."
"But where is he?"
"Perhaps with Thomasina?"
"Thomasina lies down every afternoon. She'd send him home if he hadn't sense enough to come. Besides, I think she's gone away."
"Perhaps he's in the chapel or the assembly room, practicing."