“I shall make no inquiries,” said Evan. “Since his mother and I cannot act together, and it seems that I shall be responsible for her illness if we act separately, I shall withdraw altogether. I will send her all the money I have beyond what I need for bare necessities, and she has your very generous allowance. I don’t imagine she will miss me at all out of her life. Everything has been as wretched as it could be for the last year or two.”
“I think you will probably find you want them both back again by and bye,” said Cyril. “My wife would tell you, I am sure, that absence makes the heart grow fonder—which reminds me that I very much hope that is true. However, don’t let’s take it for granted that all is over and Moab is our wash-pot, and so on. It is wonderful how things peter out if you leave them alone.”
“Perhaps,” said Evan gloomily, “but I am afraid not. What is wrong in the beginning is wrong in the end. I shall go away to-morrow before the boy arrives. He is not likely to ask after me much, as he was set against me from the beginning.”
“Have a drink before you go up,” said Cyril, as Evan rose from his chair. “I am sure you had better.” Ten minutes later they were absorbed in a discussion about Egyptian administration, but Evan remained gloomy.
When Strickland brought his breakfast next morning she asked whether he had seen Mrs. Hatton, and how was she?
“I didn’t disturb her,” he answered, “but the nurse came to the door and told me she was better.”
“I think Mrs. Fulton will be down in a few minutes, sir,” said Strickland, hesitating at the door. She liked Evan, who was always gravely considerate to the maids and, as she once said to the cook, “never passes us with his hat on.” “I may be gone before then,” said Evan, “but if so, please tell her I was sorry to go without saying good-bye. I have several things to do on the way to the station.” Teresa ran down just as he was putting on his coat.
“Oh Evan, were you going without saying good-bye? Wouldn’t you like to see Chips?”
“No, Dicky, I must be off,” he said. “Will you write and tell me how she is?”
“Yes, I will, and Ivor too,” she promised. “I wish you were not going so early and so far off. You look so bleak. But it won’t be long before Chips can go out to you.”