"To-morrow! Why, you were to stay into the second week of September."
"I have to leave sooner than I planned. The Montagnais brought up a telegram with the mail, and my answer goes back with me to-morrow. I 've kept the Montagnais for guide, although I should not fear to risk it alone, now that I have been over the route so many times."
"Then, if Mrs. Macleod and Jamie are to sail soon, I must go, too, I suppose."
"Yes, Cale needs you; the whole household needs you. I proposed to Ewart that we all go together, then there will be no heart-breaking goodbys, except to André."
I bit my lip to keep back any inquiry about Mr. Ewart's going with us, and was thankful I held my peace for the Doctor continued, tramping steadily on ahead of me:
"But now Ewart will remain to the end—"
"But has it come to this?" I cried. I was depressed at the turn of events.
The Doctor stopped, turned and faced me, saying gravely:
"It has, Marcia; I read the signs. We shall know when we get back. I was with him all last night; there is no help. But Ewart and I did not want you and Jamie and Mrs. Macleod to know it—not till morning. You thought he was out fishing when we left; so did Jamie. Ewart asked me to tell you on our way back."
"André—"