“With a month’s leave. I was so sorry, miss, to hear about Mr. Brian.”
“Thank you, John. It hardly bears speaking about. How is your father?”
“He’s well, and doing well, thank God!”
A slight emphasis on the last half of the sentence had significance. An awkward pause was broken by the return of Agatha, somewhat excited.
“Uncle Timothy wouldn’t let me in. Why did he send for me, if he doesn’t want me?”
“Of course he wants you,” replied Cicely. “Naturally, he is very upset. I will call again this afternoon to see if you want anything.”
She moved to the door, which John politely opened for her. Agatha began to take off her hat. As soon as she was alone with the young man she exclaimed bitterly:
“Typhoid! . . . I expected it.”
“Expected it, Aggie?”
“Regular poison trap, this cottage. Ought to have been pulled down years ago. I’ll bet Mr. Grimshaw agrees with that.”