I could not bear to talk any more about it just then, so to change the conversation I asked her if she had seen Wilfred.
"No," she replied, "but I am not surprised at that he has gone away for weeks together sometimes, and I have had no idea where he has been."
I was about to ask another question when I heard a voice behind me.
"Right glad to see 'ee, Maaster Roger."
"Bill Tregargus," I said, "and I am glad to see you."
There was an uneasy look on his face, however, and although he touched his hat to my mother, and made many remarks about his happiness at finding me home once more, I saw that something was wrong.
"Cud I ave a vew words in private with 'ee?" said Bill, at length.
"Certainly," I said, and my mother, evidently thinking that Bill had come relative to some matter connected with the estate, left us.
"Ave 'ee seed yer brother, sur?" said Bill, as soon as she was gone.
"Yes, last night."