“Oh, Johnson, I think we ought to go,” she said.
Mr. Carter said nothing, but glanced silently at William. So did Colonel Denbigh.
“William,” said the latter gravely, “Jinny said, ‘Tell William that Fanchon loves him as few women love, and she’s calling him!’ She lies there, quite out of her head still, William, calling and calling to her husband.”
Mrs. Carter got up and put on her hat.
“I’m coming with you, colonel,” she sobbed. “I’ve felt it was all wrong. We were hard on her, poor girl!”
“No, mother, I’ll go,” said William. “It’s my business. I’m going with you, colonel.”
The colonel straightened himself.
“Thank God!” he said simply.
He was aware that Mr. Carter, red and out of breath, was being urged into his coat and hat by his wife. He was to take them all, then. It was lucky he had brought the wagonette instead of the old rockaway.
The wagonette was waiting outside under the shadow of a tree, the horses carefully netted, and Lucas wearing a brown linen coat and a big straw hat. Colonel Denbigh helped Mrs. Carter up the high steps and they started, the colonel and Mr. Carter on one side and Mrs. Carter and William on the other.