"It is rather late for you to go out," observed Miss Brancker.
"The night is fine, and the walk will do me good. Besides, if Strong is no better, I must look out for a substitute to-morrow."
Charlotte followed her brother to the garden gate.
"It seems to blow very like for rain," she said, as she held up her hand to ascertain the way of the wind. "Had you not better take your umbrella?"
But when the umbrella came to be looked for it could not be found.
"I must have left it at the Bank," said John, who was rather absent-minded in small matters; "but I don't think I shall need it to-night."
After a few more words he went his way, humming to himself one of the airs he had been playing. His sister watched him down the street till he was lost in the darkness; then she turned, and was on the point of going indoors, when Frank Derison came hurrying up from the opposite direction.
"Better late than never, Miss Brancker," he said, his thin, careless laugh. "I suppose I'm just about in time to bid you good night."
"Just about," answered the spinster, dryly. "We had some thought of sending the bellman round. We were anxious to know whether you were lost, stolen, or had strayed away of your own accord."
"I daresay you know. Miss Brancker, that I sometimes try to earn a little money by making up tradesmen's books of an evening. Well, I've had a special job of the kind to do during the last week, and that's why I've not been near the Cottage."