The Squire gave a feeble guffaw. Nora's heart beat as she noticed how feeble it was. She left the room, because she could not stay there another moment. The time had come to act. She had hesitated long, but she would hesitate no longer. She ran downstairs. The first person she saw was Molly.
“Well,” said Molly, “how is he?”
“Very bad indeed,” said Nora; “there's not a moment to lose. Something must be done, and quickly.”
“What can be done?”
“Come out with me; I have a thought in my head.”
Nora and Molly went outside. They crossed the avenue, went along the plantation at the back, and soon found themselves in the huge yard which flanked the back of the house. In a distant part of the yard was a barn, and this barn Nora now entered. It was untidy; the doors fitted badly; the floor was of clay. It was quite empty.
Nora gave a sigh of relief.
“I dreamed of this barn last night,” she said. “I think it is the very place.”
“For what, Nora; for what?”
“I am going to have father moved here to-day.”