“Won’t you tell me, Barbara?”
“I cannot, mother, for I do not know myself. Dick, it appears, is in some sort of trouble. Will you stay at the Towers and look after things and let me be free to go to town? Otherwise I cannot rest—I cannot really, mother.”
“You look strange, Barbara, and frightened.”
“I am frightened,” said Barbara. “I do not know why, but I am.”
“Sit down, dear, and have some breakfast.”
“You will look after things here, and set me free to go up to town?” repeated Barbara.
“Of course, my love, although I think it most unnecessary for you to go.”
“I must decide for myself on that point,” said Barbara.
Mrs. Evershed said nothing more. Barbara crossed the room and rang the bell. When the servant appeared she ordered the carriage to be round within half an hour.
“I shall catch the ten o’clock train from Haversham,” she said, as she seated herself before the coffee urn.