"Is Earley in the garden?"
"Yes, miss. I ast Earley an' 'e says the same as 'Annah. Mr. Tancred 'ave took Master Tony with 'im."
Anne went away, and Jan and Meg, who had stopped her machining to listen, stared at each other across the table.
"I suppose they'll be back directly," Jan said uneasily. "I'll go and ask Earley when Hugo took Tony."
"He got up to breakfast to-day for the first time," Meg remarked irrelevantly.
Jan went out into the Wrens' garden and through Anthony's gate. She fumbled at the catch, for her hands trembled.
Earley was picking peas.
"What time did Mr. Tancred take Master Tony?" she asked.
"Just as we got back from fetchin' the cream, miss. I should say as it was about 'alf-past nine. He did meet us at the lodge, and took the young gentleman with 'im for company—'e said so."
"Thank you, Earley," Jan said quietly.