It was a week or two before Winston was on his feet again, and Maud Barrington was one of the first to greet him when he walked feebly into the hall. She had, however, decided on the line of conduct that would be most fitting, and there was no hint of more than neighborly kindliness in her tone. They had spoken about various trifles when Winston turned to her.
"You and Miss Barrington have taken such good care of me that if I consulted my inclinations I would linger in convalescence a long while," he said. "Still, I must make an effort to get away to-morrow."
"We cannot take the responsibility of letting you go under a week yet," said Maud Barrington. "Have you anything especially important to do?"
"Yes," said Winston, and the girl understood the grimness of his face. "I have."
"It concerns the fire?"
Winston looked at her curiously. "I would sooner you did not ask me that question, Miss Barrington."
"I scarcely fancy it is necessary," said the girl, with a little smile. "Still, I have something to tell you, and a favor to ask. Ferris has left Silverdale, and you must never make any attempt to discover what caused the fire."
"You know?"
"Yes," said Maud Barrington. "Dane, Macdonald, and Hassal know, too, but you will not ask them, and if you did they would not tell you."
"I can refuse you nothing," said Winston with a laugh, though his voice betrayed him. "Still, I want a _quid pro quo_. Wait until Ferris's farm is in the sale list and then take it with the growing crop."