In the confusion of recovering the startled grey neither of the three observed how Mrs. Dickson had walked to where the rail was broken, and stood just beyond it, feeling from side to side, unable to realize where it had gone. Ailleen noticed her, and ran to her assistance.
"Tony, look!" she exclaimed; and he, seeing what was the matter, also hastened to her side.
Dickson, resenting Tony's appearance at the station, as well as the way Ailleen behaved towards him, also hurried over.
"A horse has knocked the rail over," Ailleen exclaimed, as she took Mrs. Dickson's arm.
"Let me help you," Tony said, as he took the other.
The blind woman stood motionless, with closely compressed lips and eyes that stared in their sightless fixity.
"Here, I'll take her back," Dickson said abruptly, as he pushed Ailleen aside. "Come on. What do you want mooning out here for?" he added roughly to Mrs. Dickson, as he caught hold of her arm.
She half shuddered as he spoke and touched her, but moved forward, leaning the more on Tony. At the steps her foot caught against the lowest.
"Why aren't you careful?" Dickson exclaimed.
She freed her arm from his.