At last Reggie broke the silence.
"What have you done to trace her?" he asked. Perhaps it was the easiest question he could have asked. Gertrude could answer that, and she told him all that had been done. "I wish there was something I could do," he said, when she paused.
"Is it your holidays?" she asked indifferently. "I'm afraid there's nothing much going on in Old Keston just now. You'll find it very dull."
"That won't matter to me. I have to go back on Monday."
"Oh! Have you had a nice time the first part? I thought you were going to have a fortnight in September."
As Gertrude could think of nothing to say, Reggie's holiday seemed a very safe subject.
He laughed a little.
"This is the first part; I came up by last night's mail, I haven't even been home yet. I came off directly I heard about Maud and all your trouble. I was so awfully sorry, and letters are not the least bit of use for saying what you feel."
"It's very good of you," said Gertrude gratefully. "Shall you come home again in September?"
"Oh! there won't be any September," said Reggie cheerfully.