The twins' eagerness to impart their knowledge of recent events to 'Lias was such that the sorrow of parting was greatly mitigated; moreover, Aileen left them with a promise to come up again soon.
"I'm ready, Tave," she said as he drew up at the door. 'Lias helped her in.
"Come again soon, Aileen—you've promised," the twins shouted after her.
She turned and waved her hand to them. "I'll come," she called back in answer.
They drove in silence over the Rothel, past the brick house where Emlie's trap was still standing, but now hitched. Octavius Buzzby's face was gray; his features were drawn.
"Did you hear, Aileen?" he said, after they had driven on a while and begun to meet the quarrymen returning from Flamsted, many of whom were talking excitedly and gesticulating freely.
"Yes—Dulcie told me something. I don't know how true it is," she answered quietly.
"It's true," he said grimly, "and it'll kill his mother."
"I don't know about that;" she spoke almost indifferently; "you can stand a good deal when it comes to the point."
Octavius turned almost fiercely upon her.