Nora shrugged her shoulders.
‘But what can he do—with his poor hand! You know Mr. Sorell has taken a cottage for him at Boar’s Hill—above Hinksey?’
Yes, Connie knew. She seemed suddenly on her guard.
‘But he can’t live alone?’ said Nora. ‘Who on earth’s going to look after him?’
Connie hesitated. Down a side street she perceived the stately front of Marmion, and at the same moment a tall man emerging from the dusk crossed the street and entered the Marmion gate. Her heart leapt. No! Absurd! He and Otto had not arrived yet. But already the Oxford dark, and the beautiful Oxford distances were peopled for her with visions and prophecies of hope. The old and famous city that had seen so much youth bloom and pass, spoke magic things to her with its wise, friendly voice.
Aloud, she said—
‘You haven’t heard? Mr. Falloden’s going to live with him.’
Nora stopped in stupefaction.
‘What?’
Connie repeated the information—adding—