Dr. Lister sprang up and went to the door. As he opened it the wind set the flame of the lamps quivering. There was a shrill, wailing sound.
"What is it?" cried Mrs. Lister.
"Nothing but the wind," answered Dr. Lister, his own nerves badly shaken. He came back into the study. "Mrs. Scott exaggerates till she lies. Suppose he has gone there to play for a few hours! They are both pupils of Thomasina's."
"Thomasina's ideas are all wrong—about everything," said Mrs. Lister. "She never had a brother or a child, she has had no experience. She puts a higher value on talent than on the Ten Commandments. Where is Richard?" She sprang up. Her cry was lost in the breaking of the storm. "This very house is rocking!"
Dr. Lister drew her down once more beside him.
"At this moment we can do nothing but wait."
"I've gone through this misery before," said she piteously. "It isn't new to me."
Dr. Lister tried to persuade her to lie down, but she would not stir. The storm reached a climax, seemed to recede, and advanced in greater fury. Silently, hand in hand, the two waited.