Mrs Mallow was silent, and the Rector left the room.
Five minutes later, in obedience to her summons, Cyril was at his mother’s side, talking to her in a depressed but very determined way.
“Go back with Frank, Cyril!” she said, piteously. “It would break my heart.”
“You said that it would break if I were to die.”
“Yes,” she faltered.
“Well, I shall die naturally or unnaturally if I stop here,” he said coldly. “I cannot bear it any longer. You know how I have tried.”
Mrs Mallow laid her hand upon her side.
“Then you must fight against all that pain and suffering for my sake, mamma dear,” he said, bending over her, and kissing her tenderly.
“But you will take this post, Cyril?” she said, imploringly.
“What?” he cried, angrily. “No, I am going back to the other side of the world.”