Mrs. Munt gave a little scream. Then she grew quiet again.
"No, sir," she said, "the dear children are too obedient for that. They remembered what you said to them about not going to those pits, and they repeated their promise to nurse only a day or two ago."
Grandpapa looked up with a gleam of hope. But it faded again, and he only repeated the words—
"Those pools must be dragged. Send the men. I can do no more."
Then he half fell back upon his chair, and stayed thus—almost unconscious, Mrs. Munt thinks—while she went away to obey his orders, till——
But now I must take up another end of the story.
The family at the Rectory went early to bed as a rule, even when they had visitors with them. This eventful evening they and their two visitors were just standing about the drawing-room, preparing to say good-night and to light their bed-room candles, when they were startled by a loud violent ringing at the door.
"Dear me," said they all, "what can that be? So late, too; it is past ten."
"Some one ill, and wanting me, possibly," said the rector, and he went out to the hall, where the footman was already at the door, leaving the four ladies—his mother-in-law, and Mrs. Lauriston, his wife, and the two visitors—looking at each other rather startledly. Still, there was no reason to expect anything wrong—all the young Lauristons were upstairs safe in bed their mother remembered with satisfaction.
They heard voices at the door—then the rector came back, looking shocked and troubled.