This encounter bore good fruit, however. It helped May to make an effort to lift the heavy cloud of suspicion that rested upon her. In the afternoon she asked Phyllis to walk over to the village with her.
"If Miss Sarah is willing," said Phyllis.
Sarah was willing, but when Phyllis said, "He's going to make that Brentwood boy speak out," she said, "Haven't you got that idea out of your head yet?"
"No, Miss Sarah," Phyllis replied, "I'm surer of it than ever since Dr. Brentwood said Gay had given Philip tobacco—the idea of it! That Philip is a little scamp; you see if I am not right."
This decided expression of opinion from her meek serving-maid so surprised Sarah that she allowed Phyllis to depart without saying a word!
It was indeed May's intention to see Philip, but when Dr. Brentwood's was reached they were told that Philip had gone, with a companion, to play near the lake. "But the doctor is in his office," said the maid, looking significantly at May.
It was plain that she knew the whole story, and thought the young caller had come to make the expected apology, and so, also, thought the doctor, who was looking through the window and trying to persuade himself not to be too severe with the corrupter of Philip's morals.
"I don't care to see the doctor," May replied, with rising color. Then she added, "I am going to the lake, Phyllis."
"Very well," said Phyllis, now more than ever convinced of the insight of her conjectures.
Philip and his friend were in a boat a short distance from the shore. They were not rowing but drifting, and rocking the boat from side to side.