"My wife? She has lagged behind."
"Not possible. She was to assist you home."
"I needed no assistance."
"She ought to be here to receive instructions from the doctor."
"These can be given to my sister."
"But, Bideabout, where is she?"
Jonas was silent, confused, alarmed.
Iver became uneasy.
"Bideabout, where is Matabel. She must be summoned."
"It's nort to you where she be," answered the Broom-Squire savagely.