CHAPTER XLI
HIS FATE
“Aunt Elfrida, dear, I want to speak to you. Can you give me a few moments, quite alone, this morning?” inquired Le of Mrs. Force, in a low voice, as they left the breakfast room together, the last two in the rear of the party.
“Yes, Le. Come into my siting room, where we shall be uninterrupted,” replied the lady, in the same subdued tone, and with a somewhat troubled look, as if she anticipated a painful interview.
The other members of the family passed on through the door on the right side of the hall and entered the drawing room.
Mrs. Force turned from them and opened the door on the left and preceded Le into the little parlor.
When they were both in the room, the lady shut the door and turned the key, and motioned Le to take one armchair on one side of the center table, while she herself sank into the other, saying:
“Now then, Le, dear boy, I am ready to hear what you wish to say to me.”
“Maybe you know, Aunt Elfrida, that I am going to sea in a few days,” he said, leaning over the table toward her.