To his "Come in," she entered at once, and said abruptly without preface,—
"I hope you have unpacked nothing. I must ask you to go away at once."
She had her bonnet still on, and, but for the pallor of her face, she looked cold, even unmoved.
"I have everything unpacked, and I don't want to go. Why should I?" demanded Hinton, in some surprise.
"My eldest boy has scarlet fever. The other two will probably take it. You must on no account stay here; you must leave to-night if you wish to escape infection."
In an instant Hinton was by her side.
"Your boy has scarlet fever?" he repeated. "I know something of scarlet fever. He must instantly be moved to an airy bedroom. The best bedroom in the house is mine. Your boy must sleep in my bedroom to-night."
"It is a good thought," said Mrs. Home. "Thank you for suggesting it—I will move him down at once; the bed is well aired, and the sheets are fresh and clean. I will have him moved whenever you can go."
She was leaving the room when Hinton followed her.
"I said nothing about going. I don't mean to. I can have a blanket and sleep on the sofa. I am not going away, Mrs. Home."