"Have you ever seen it growing?"
"No; I have never been to the South."
"You have a good deal to see. I hope some day——" He broke off.
"Where are you going when you do go away?" I asked.
"To Sydney first, perhaps to Melbourne."
"It will be nice for you to leave England during our unpleasant winter weather."
"There is nothing nice about my visit," he said; "I dislike going more than I have any words to express. In particular, I am sorry to leave your mother; but before I go I want"—he dropped his voice and came a step nearer.
"What?" I asked.
"I am anxious that your mother should see a doctor—a specialist, I mean. I am not satisfied with her condition."
"But mother is really quite well," I said impulsively. "You have not known her long, Mr. Randolph; she never was really strong. She is quite as well as she ever was."