It was just as well that they reached the station at that moment and that they were forced to run for the train. The hustle and excitement served temporarily to divert Dorothy’s mind from her trouble.
Tavia kept up a lively chatter for the major part of the train trip to North Birchlands so that Dorothy had little time to indulge her unhappy thoughts.
It was only when they entered the living room of The Cedars and faced the Major and Mrs. White that Dorothy felt the full gravity of the situation.
She kissed her Aunt Winnie on the cheek and then went over to her father, kneeled down beside him and took his hand between her own.
Tavia’s eyes softened as she took in the tableau, and with a significant gesture she turned to Nat. The two left the room and Mrs. White softly followed them. Father and daughter were left alone.
“You haven’t heard anything, Daddy?” asked Dorothy, anxious eyes upon her father’s face. It seemed to her that the Major looked strangely old and haggard.
Major Dale shook his head. He had brightened at sight of his daughter, but at the mention of Joe his face clouded heavily again.
“I don’t understand it, Dot,” he replied. “Joe was always such a straightforward, dependable lad, despite the little pranks he was always playing. Wouldn’t be a boy if he didn’t have some mischief in him. But a good boy at that—a good boy——” His voice trailed off and his eyes sought the window restlessly.
Dorothy became truly alarmed. Her father was ill, she could see that—although the Major would be the last man to admit such a thing. His health had not been robust for some time and now the shock of this thing had been too much for him.
With an effort Dorothy pulled herself together and spoke encouragingly.