"Of course. But you are not going to-day?"
She had not meant to do so, but since he seemed to expect it, found herself saying that she was.
"There is another matter," he said, "and it is that I came out to speak about. My brother Reginald is coming home."
"Really? Is that so?" She spoke without any show of interest. "I thought he had gone for a year."
"That was the original plan. But he went because I wished it—at that time. He has always been to me a docile, dear fellow, and I fear I presumed on that. I had no right to order his goings and comings—to order his life. None."
"I think it was Franky's death. I think he was glad to go—"
"That is as may be. I am going to tell him, now, to come back."
Deleah, feeling that this was a matter in which she had no concern, walked on, saying nothing.
"And now," Sir Francis went on, "I am going to ask you to alter your mind about leaving us. Since Reggie is coming back to us, won't you stay?"
Deleah lifted her head, and regarded him in silent astonishment.