"That's my one comfort in all this," said he, "that it has led to my finding out the girl and doing something for her. I never heard of her before. But my father told me she was my half-sister, and they say there is something in our faces which confirms the story. Anyhow, she's a grand girl, and I'm going to look after her. She's gone away—"
"Gone away!" repeated Mr. Wedmore, disconcerted.
There had been a lull in the quarrel between him and his son for the last few days, during which Carrie had avoided Max and Max had avoided his father.
"Yes," said Dudley. "She would go, and she thought it best to go without any fuss, leaving me to say good-bye for her. She's all right. I'm going to look after her; and she's going into training as a hospital nurse."
"Oh, well, I'm sure I hope she'll get on," said Mr. Wedmore, rather vaguely.
He had been getting used, during the last few days, to the thought of the pretty, blue-eyed girl as a daughter-in-law, and he found himself now rather hoping than fearing that Max would stick to his choice.
"Well," said he at last, "I must send the ladies to have a look at you now, I suppose. I wouldn't let them talk my head off on the first day, if I were you."
Dudley sprang to his feet. He seemed restless and excited.
"I won't talk much. I won't let them talk much," said he, in an unsteady voice. "But may I see—may I speak to Doreen?"
Mr. Wedmore nodded good-humoredly.