“Yes,” he said, “I do think so certainly, but it is rather curious that you should say it just now, for the same thought was passing through my own mind. I have been worried and anxious lately, and feeling rather envious of my father’s more placid temperament, but I dare say a great deal of it is simple over-fatigue. I have had a lot of railway travelling this week.”
And in those days there was more ground than at present for what he said. People were less inured to trains, and many of the present inventions for lessening the jar and friction were still wanting.
“Had you a long journey yesterday?” I inquired, tentatively.
He glanced at me as he replied—
“Yes, I came right through from Millflowers.”
“By the express I hope, this time, however,” I answered with a smile. “Oh, Mr Payne,” I went on, in a tone of relief, “I am so glad you have mentioned it. I am so longing to know something about the Grim—Grimsthorpe and those poor people, and I have been wondering how I could ask you, without committing any terrible breach of—etiquette, or whatever it is I should call it.”
He did not laugh or smile, but took my question in sober earnest, which I was very glad of.
“Ask me anything you like,” he said quietly. “Your doing so cannot infringe any rule, written or unwritten. As to what I may be able to answer, that is a different matter, but I know you will not misunderstand if I am unable to say much. Perhaps I may ask you a question in the first place? Have you heard anything of—the Greys lately? Your friends, their neighbours, are still at the Manor-house I suppose—they are residents there, are they not?”
“Oh dear, yes,” I replied. “The Wynyards have been at Millflowers from time immemorial. So of course they know all that any outsider can know about Grimsthorpe. But Mr Wynyard put down gossip with an iron hand—that was why Moore—my brother—and I were so grateful to Mr Grey for agreeing that nothing should be said about that—that inexcusable intrusion.”
“Your brother is only a schoolboy, when all is said and done,” said Clarence, as I momentarily hesitated.