She called Rachel in, gave her the note for Richard and told her to keep a close eye on Dinah.
“Don’t let her get talking to any one,” said Miss Pinckney, “and when Mr. Richard comes in give him that note yourself. If he asks about Miss Phyl, say she came back and went with me. You understand, Rachel, Miss Phyl has done a foolish thing, but there’s no harm in it, only what fools will make of it if they get chattering. No one must know, not even Mr. Richard.”
“I’ll see to that, Miss Pinckney, an’ if I catch Dinah openin’ her mouth to say more’n ‘potatoes’ I’ll dress her down so’s she won’t know which end of her’s which.”
Miss Pinckney went upstairs, dressed hurriedly, packed a few things in a bag and the automobile being now at the door, started.
It was after one o’clock when she reached Grangersons.
Just as on the day when she had arrived with Phyl, Colonel Grangerson, hearing the noise of the car, came out to inspect.
He came down the steps, hat in hand, saw the occupant, started back, and then advanced to open the door.
“Why, God bless my soul, it’s you,” cried the Colonel. “What has happened?”
Miss Pinckney without a word got out and went up the steps with him.
In the hall she turned to him.