“You don’t say so?”
“Indeed. The poor fellow is in a wretched state—utterly broken down; they feared a few weeks ago that he was going crazy. You know that he was great at yachting; of course he has had to sell his yacht, and I have bought it.”
“What will you tell me next?”
“Why, this. It is essential that poor Calder should get away to the South, and nothing would do him half as much good as a sail among the islands. Now I propose to ask him to accompany me on such a cruise, say at the beginning of next month. He and I have been on the best of terms since we were lads, and there’s no kind of awkwardness in the arrangement; he goes to put me up to the art of seamanship. Of course his wife accompanies him, and probably their eldest girl.”
“That’s the kindest thing I have heard for a long time, Robert,” said Isabel, giving him a look of admiration.
“Oh dear no; nothing could be simpler. And now—I want you to come with them.” Isabel shook her head.
“But what is your objection?”
“I cannot leave England at present.”
“I don’t ask you to. We are at the middle of January; it will be time enough in three weeks.”
“Out of the question.”