“Pray try to be calm, my lord. This emotion will do you a mischief,” pleaded Mr. Campbell.
“Go and bring my wife and child to me. Let me tell them the news,” he exclaimed, and then burst into the most sarcastic peal of laughter the rector thought he had ever heard. He left the room and went to find his daughter, whom he came upon, as usual, seated beside her mother and engaged in needlework over the baby’s cradle.
“Come, my dear. Montgomery wants you. Bring the little one along with you. And, Hetty, dear, you had better come also,” he said.
Both women looked up anxiously, half expecting that this was their final summons to the sick-room; that now “the end of earth” for Kightly Montgomery was at hand.
“Is anything the matter, Jim?” inquired Hetty, while Jennie’s eyes asked the same question.
“News of Montgomery’s relatives in Cumberland, that is all,” replied the rector.
“What news?” demanded Hetty.
“He prefers to announce it in person.”
“Dear me! How mysterious we are! Come on, Jennie!” said Mrs. Campbell, taking her husband’s arm and leading the way.
Jennie picked up her baby and followed.