'I was coming home.'
'From Dr. Maryland's?'
'Not at all, sir. I should have said, I was on my way home,— and the storm began, and I took a cross road to expedite matters—and then I grew desperate, and ran into an unknown, open door, and so found myself at Dr. Maryland's.'
'Very intelligible. My question looked to the beginning of your expedition.'
'Well, sir—I would rather—but it does not signify. There came a small Bohemian here in the morning to get help for her sick mother; and I went. That is all.'
'Who is the mother, Miss Hazel? Where does she live?'
'I don't know her name. And her habitation only when I see it.
All places are alike to me here yet, you know.'
'My dear,' said Mr. Falkirk gravely, 'you must see that, being so ignorant of people and things in this region, you had better not make sudden expeditions without taking me into your confidence. Dingee said you rode the little black mare?'
'True, sir.'
'You did not like her well enough to ride her home?'