‘Isn’t it natural for me to ask such questions? You’re not a bit like yourself. And what did you mean by telling me you were coming back at once, when I wanted to join you at Falmouth?’
‘I meant to. But after all, I had to stay longer.’
‘Oh well, it’s nothing to me.’
They had not even shaken hands, and now felt no desire to correct the omission, which was at first involuntary. Horace seemed to have lost all the amiability of his nature; he looked about him with restless, excited eyes.
‘Are you in a hurry?’ asked his sister, head erect.
‘No hurry that I know of.—You haven’t heard what’s been going on?’
‘Where?’
‘Of course it won’t interest you. There’s something about you I can’t understand. Is it father’s will that has spoilt your temper, and made you behave so strangely?’
‘It is not my temper that’s spoilt. And as for behaving strangely—.’ She made an effort to command herself. ‘Sit down, Horace, and let me know what is the matter with you. Why we should be unfriendly, I really can’t imagine. I have suffered from ill health, that’s all. I’m sorry I behaved in that way when you talked of coming to Falmouth; it wasn’t meant as you seem to think. Tell me what you have to tell.’
He could not take a reposeful attitude, but, after struggling with some reluctance, began to explain the agitation that beset him.