'On no account!' said Dr. Arthur wheeling round. 'I am too glad that you were here to-day. Always depute that part of your work which somebody else can do.'
'I will be there, Arthur, in an hour or two. Go onyou had better not wait for me.'
Dr. Arthur sat still a minute, looking down between his horse's ears.
'Well,' he said,'perhaps it is none of my business, but do you know what a sensitive plant you have to deal with in there? She must not have another shock like that mysterious one of a month ago. Good-night!'
With a somewhat slow step, Rollo left the hall door and went back to the red room. But his face shewed no change to disturb Wych Hazel. He came back first to the fire, and somewhat thoughtfully, quite silently, put it in order. By that time he was ready. He faced Wych Hazel, and spoke in his ordinary tone.
'I am glad we have had this day, Wychand I am glad we have had our talk this evening: for I find we cannot have another in some time.'
'You are going away?' she said, rising and coming towards him. 'One of your business trips? Then this will be my time for a few days in town, to "do about dress" a little. Do you suppose honestlythat anybody wants my new gloves?' The question came with a laugh and a flash which yet did not hide it. But silently Dane folded his two arms about her and pressed kiss after kiss upon brow and lips. That shewed feeling more than he meant to shew it. Yet when he spoke his tone was clear and sweet, no shadow at all in it.
'I am not going away.'
She drew off as far as she could, to look at him, with sudden instinctive fear. Only her eyes put questions now.
'Yes,' he said,'there is sickness in the Hollow. And it is contagious sickness.'