"You know where old Mother Strangeways' cottage is? I passed it on my way back to-night, and heard cries from within. I went in and found her dying. That is why I was so late in getting home. I had to slip across to Marshcotes for the doctor before coming on here."
"Yes, but the cut on your head?" persisted Kate.
"She hated me for some reason or other, and threw a bottle at me. That is all. Tut, child, the woman is dead; it is too late to tremble for what she might have done. Now, off you run to bed, while I go and change these wet things. I won't waste your fine blaze, Katey, but I'll read for an hour or so and have a whisky hot."
"Can't I stay with you, dear? I don't want to sleep a bit, and——"
"No, you can't! Off with you; I'm too tired to carry you upstairs by main force."
She kissed him good night. Just as she was going Griff called her back.
"Don't say anything about this to the mother, will you? It would only bother her."
"No, not a word, if you had rather I didn't.—Mother is not well, Griff; I wish she would have the doctor."
"She will have the doctor, Kate, when she is too weak to forbid him to cross the threshold," laughed Griff. "Nothing serious, is it?"