XIII
CARNABY TO THE RESCUE
At Stoke Revel, in the meantime, the solemn rites of dinner had been inaugurated as usual by the sounding of the gong at seven o’clock. Mrs. de Tracy, Miss Smeardon, and Bates waited five minutes in silent resignation, then Carnaby came down and was scolded for being late, but there was no Robinette and no Lavendar.
“Carnaby,” said his grandmother, “do you know where Mark intended going this afternoon?”
“No, I don’t,” said Carnaby, sulkily.
“Your cousin Robinetta,”––with meaning,––“perhaps you know her whereabouts?”
“Not I!” replied Carnaby with affected nonchalance. “I was ferreting with Wilson.” He had ferreted perhaps for fifteen 171 minutes and then spent the rest of the afternoon in solitary discontent, but he would not have owned it for the world.
“Call Bates,” commanded Mrs. de Tracy. Bates entered. “Do you know if Mr. Lavendar intended going any distance to-day? Did he leave any message?”
“Mr. Lavendar, ma’am,” said Bates, “Mr. Lavendar and Mrs. Loring they went out in the boat after tea. Mr. Lavendar asked William for the key, and William he went down and got out the oars and rudder, ma’am.”