Tony followed her through the swing door and down the passage to speak to Hannah, who was much moved and excited when she heard Mr. Tancred had arrived. Hannah was full of sympathy for the "poor young widower," and though she could have wished that he had given them notice of his coming, still, she supposed him to be so distracted with grief that he forgot to do anything of the kind. She and Anne Chitt went there and then to make up his bed, while Jan boiled the kettle and got him some breakfast.
While she was doing this Meg and little Fay came round to the back to look for Tony, whom they found making toast.
"Who's tum?" asked little Fay, while Jan rapidly explained the situation to Meg.
"Your Daddie's come."
Little Fay looked rather vague. "What sort of a Daddie?" she asked.
"You take her to see him, Tony, and I'll finish the toast," said Jan, taking the fork out of his hand.
When the children had gone Meg said slowly: "And Mr. Ledgard comes to-morrow?"
"He can't. I must telegraph and put him off for a day or two. Hugo is really ill."
"I shouldn't put him off long, if I were you."
Jan seized the tray: "I'll send a wire now, if you and the children will take it down to the post-office for me."