'Then in the afternoons she just shut herself up again,and I knew that would no do, and I begged her to go out. So she said at last she couldn't go and come without such a trainand it did seem as if people were bewitched, sure enough,' said Mrs. Bywank. 'I think there never was such a run on the house. What with you sick and Mr. Falkirk somehow not taking much noticeYou know he's gone, sir?'
'Yes.'
'Miss Wych took it rather to heart,' said Mrs. Bywank. 'She couldn't see why he went. But I asked her then why she didn't ride in the woods where nobody'd meet her.'If there was anything to do there!' she said. 'But nobody lives in my woods.''Ask Reo,' says I. 'He goes everywhere.'
'So I don't know what Reo told her, but now she's out all the afternoon; busy somewhere. And there!' said Mrs. Bywank, as a horseman passed the window,'it's hard to blame her for staying late. But there she comes!'and the old housekeeper went softly from the room.
At a little distance now he could see the brown horse and his rider, with Lewis following. Coming slowly at first, then with sudden haste as she saw a horseman at the door. Hazel knew her mistake in a moment, but she kept up her pace as the unwelcome visiter came on to meet her; and just at the steps deftly jumped herself off, giving no chance to civilities. Then after a few words of colloquy dismissed the intruder, and came slowly up the steps. There paused, looking wistfully down the empty road, and finally came in, taking notes and messages from Dingee.
'Give me tea directly,' she said. 'And admit no one, on any pretence whatever.'
'Mas' Falkirk?' suggested Dingee. 'Spose done come home?'
'Mr. Falkirk never asks admittance.'
'Mas' Rollo?'
'Did you hear what I said!'exclaimed his mistress; and Dingee vanished.