Kit obeyed mechanically. Everything had turned so topsy-turvy all at once, that it seemed no more extraordinary for him to be doing meekly what the Doctor told him than it was for the Doctor to be struggling out of his greatcoat just as the rain was beginning to come on again.
‘Then–then you didn’t go to Bobby Hearne’s aunt, after all?’ he inquired stupidly.
‘Not much!’ answered the Doctor, with another short laugh. He had got his coat off by this time, and he held it out to Christopher peremptorily. ‘Put this on, and look sharp!’ he commanded.
‘But––’ stammered the boy, hanging back.
‘Do you want to keep me here all night?’ cried Dr. Hurst, impatiently; and as Kit still hesitated, he wrapped the coat quickly round him and lifted him bodily into the gig. Then he mounted beside him, and turned the animal’s head. The next instant, they were bowling along towards home, at the rate of ten miles an hour.
For the first five minutes they did not speak. Then the Doctor jerked out a sharp inquiry.
‘Aren’t you going to ask after your sister?’ he demanded.
Kit started. ‘I was afraid you’d rag me for it,’ he muttered awkwardly.
The Doctor flicked the horse with his whip. ‘Sorry you think me such a brute,’ he said shortly. He flicked the horse again, and played it a moment or two, as it tossed its head and jumped about. ‘I don’t think it’s anything serious,’ he went on. ‘I gave her a soothing draught, and everything depends on the state in which she wakes up. But I think she’ll be all right.’
The relief at Kit’s heart nearly choked him. ‘Did Jill tell you it was my fault?’ he asked after a while.