“How does Mary get on without you?”
“There’s no difficulty.”
“Has she any one capable of taking your place?”
“Yes. Miss Vesper can do all that’s necessary.”
“Even to inspiring the girls with zeal for an independent life?”
“Perhaps even that.”
They went along by the waves, in the warm-coloured twilight, until the houses of Seascale were hidden. Then Everard stopped.
“To-morrow we go to Coniston?” he said, smiling as he stood before her.
“You are going?”
“Do you think I can leave you?”