But he did not return. Aubrey came back alone, and found them all hanging on his entrance. Pamela put down her knitting and looked at him anxiously; so did the elder sisters. He went up absently to the chimney-piece, and stood leaning against it.
'Well?' said Pamela in a low voice, as she came to sit on a stool near him.
He smiled, but she saw that he was pale.
'Can you take me over to Chetworth to-morrow—early—in the pony-cart?'
'Yes, certainly.'
'Half-past ten?'
'Right you are.'
No more was said. Aubrey turned at once to Alice Gaddesden and proposed a round game. He played it with much more spirit than usual, and Desmond's antics in 'Animal Grab' put all serious notions to flight.
But when the game was over, and Forest brought in the candles, Margaret tried to get some information.
'You found the father reasonable?' she said to her brother in an undertone, as they stood together by the fire.