"Not much," carelessly answered Mr. Arkell, who had drawn over the fire in another fit of shivering.
She took her seat in the chair Peter had vacated, and slightly lifted her rich dress, lest the scorching fire should mar its beauty.
"I suppose he came to borrow money," she said, no pleasant look upon her countenance.
"On the contrary, he came to pay me some."
"To pay you some! What for?"
"To repay me some, I should have said. I paid something for him during his absence—ten pounds—and he has now returned it."
For one single moment she felt inclined to doubt the words, and to say so. The next, she remembered how simply truthful was her husband.
"I want Travice," she said, presently. "I sent to the manufactory for him, but he was out. Will he be long, do you know?"
"I dare say not. Peter told me he was at the railway station. He went, I suppose, to meet them."
Mrs. Arkell lifted her head with a sort of start.