The little fellow screamed with delight at sight of his father. Churchill took him in his arms, and kissed him fondly, while Viola rang for the nurse.
‘Good morning, Churchill. I did not know you had come back. What a rapid piece of business your London expedition must have been!’
‘Yes, I did not care about wasting much time. What were you doing yesterday, Viola?’
‘I spent the day with the Vyvyans, at the Hall. They had a wind-up croquet match. It was great fun.’
‘And you were not home till late, I suppose?’
‘Not so very late. It was only half-past nine o’clock, but Madge had retired. What makes her so late this morning?’
Viola evidently knew nothing of her sister’s visit to the lodge.
‘She was engaged in a work of charity last night, and is worn out with fatigue.’
He told Viola how Madge had nursed the dying woman.
‘That woman she disliked so much! Was there ever such a noble heart as my sister’s?’ cried Viola.