“If I’m able to get hold of Joe,” he said, “I myself shall come back with him.”
“Oh!” she exclaimed, “that would be so helpful.”
“It is my one hope,” he answered.
Then, because there was so much more that he wanted to say; then, because there was so much he mustn’t say, he turned his eyes towards Aunt Philomela’s room. The girl obeyed his unexpressed desire in some haste.
“Aunty,” she called.
She came in, a bit frightened. Certainly in appearance she bore out the girl’s statement. All the fight seemed to have gone from her. She was an Aunt Philomela he had never seen before. She was scarcely more than a sweet, lovable old lady who looked very dependent. She came forward uncertainly.
“You’re going?” she exclaimed, in as much astonishment as though this were the first she had heard of it.
He nodded.
“I must start at once. I’m going to walk to Chester to catch the noon train.”
“I—I’ll send John with you,” she stammered.