She had not been long alone when she heard a voice calling her:
"Barbara! Barbara!"
Absorbed in her thoughts, she imagined that the voice came from her inner consciousness, and was spirit speaking unto spirit. But it called again, and this time fell upon her ear with unmistakable urgency:
"Barbara!"
Lucy was running across the slope, towards the light issuing from the cavern's doorway. She looked excited, her cheeks were aflame, her eyes shining.
"You must come with me," she cried. "You must come at once, over the Robber's Rake to the Shepherd's Rest. Joel is dying."
She took her sister's hand, and began to draw her towards the door.
"Sit down, Lucy, and calm thyself," said Barbara.
"Sit down! Nay, I tell you we must go at once. Come, there is no time to lose. He may be dead before we see him."
"I don't understand," said Barbara.