That night Evans found out for the first time something about his mother. “You look tired, dearest,” he had said, when their guests were gone, and he and she had come into the great hall together.
“I am tired.” She sat down on an old horsehair sofa. “I can’t stand much excitement. It makes me feel like an old lady.”
“You’ll never grow old.” He felt a deep tenderness for her in this moment of confessed weakness. She had always been so strong. Had refused to lean. She had, in fact, taken from him his son’s prerogative of protectiveness.
He laid his hand on her shoulder. “You’d better see Hallam.”
“I’ve seen him.”
“What did he say?”
“My heart——”
He looked at her in alarm. “Mother! Why didn’t you tell me?”
“What was the use? There’s nothing to be worried about. Only he says I must not push myself.”
“I am worried. Let me look after the men in the morning early. That will give you an extra nap.”