“What? Our Arthur was seen with her last? She missing—he missing—why, by jingo, Mary, that handsome puss has run away with him!”
The doctor burst into a hearty, chuckling laugh.
“Is this a time for jesting, Henry?” said Mrs Bolter, angrily.
“Not at all, my dear,” replied the doctor, “only it looks as if Arthur had made up his mind to do something startling.”
“Arthur—something startling! What do you mean?”
“That he seems to have bolted with Helen Perowne!”
“Henry!”
“Well, my dear, they were seen together last, and they are now missing. What is one to say?”
“If you cannot say words of greater wisdom than that, Henry, pray be silent.”
“All right, my dear—come along.”