'Mr. Falkirk!'—
Hazel sprang up,—then as instantly sat down again. There should be no more strength used about her that day!
'Helping Reo?' she said.
'Not directly. He made a misstep, I think, among the confusion of branches cut and uncut with which the ground was encumbered; slipped off one of them, perhaps; somehow gave his foot a twist,—and there he is. That was the cause of my long delay.' He spoke, watching the little lady all the while.
'Why did he not come here?—it was nearer,' she said with some accent of impatience.
'No,'—very gently—'we were nearer his cottage. I proposed bringing him,—where I was sure you would wish for him,—here, at once; but Mr. Falkirk laid his commands on me and on all concerned so absolutely that there was no choice. We carried him to his cottage; for he could not walk.'
'Just like Mr. Falkirk!'—then the impatience died away in a soft tone of pity. 'Not able to walk!'—
'He will be a prisoner for some time, I am afraid.'
Hazel made no answer to that; thoughts were crowding in thick and fast. What was she going to do, with Mr. Falkirk laid up? Would she be a prisoner too? Was she to live here in this great old house alone, by day as well as by night? They were rather sober thoughts that came.
'That's very bad for Hazel,' said Primrose, coming near and joining the group. Hazel held out her hand and got fast hold of Prim's. She was ready for the sympathy this time.