"What message? From whom? I heard what he said."
"Then, if you heard, you won't need me to tell you."
"I only heard part--you know I only heard part. Tell me what he said! Tell me at once!"
Mr Frazer was passing the fingers of his left hand through his hair. He seemed to be in a quandary, which caused him to be oblivious of the young lady's peremptory tone.
"I don't fancy it's anything serious; but--I don't think I ought to make her go much farther, with that great thing at her back. Poor old girl!"
He patted the mare on the shoulder, as if in sympathy. She looked round at him, as if she wondered what he meant. An inquiry came from the window:
"Is there anything the matter with the horse?"
"I'm not sure that there is--I'm not sure, that's the point. I don't take any risks, with an old friend.--she and I have been friends too long. That's why I asked you if you'd mind walking a little way."
"Of course I wouldn't--you know I wouldn't."
"Then in that case I think I'll take her into the field, and leave her there."