'Missing? That means—a prisoner. George is a prisoner—and wounded! Can't I go to him?'
She looked piteously at Hester. Bridget had come up and was standing near.
'If he's a prisoner, he's in a German hospital. Dear Mrs. Sarratt, you'll soon hear of him!'
Nelly stood up. Her young beauty of an hour before seemed to have dropped from her like the petals of a rose. She put her hand to her forehead.
'But I shan't see him—again'—she said slowly—'till the end of the war—the end of the war'—she repeated, pressing her hands on her eyes. The note of utter desolation brought the tears to Hester's cheeks. But before she could say anything, Nelly had turned sharply to her sister.
'Bridget, I must go up to-night!'
'Must you?' said Bridget reluctantly. 'I don't see what you can do.'
'I can go to the War Office—and to that place where they make enquiries for you. Of course, I must go to London!—and I must stay there. There might be news of him any time.'
Bridget and Hester looked at each other. The same thought was in their minds. But Nelly, restored to momentary calmness by her own suggestion, went quickly to Farrell, who with his sister and Marsworth was standing a little way off.
'I must go to London to-night, Sir William. Could you order something for me?'