Lucy smiled bravely.
'It's all over now.'
Alec came in, and she walked eagerly towards him.
'Well? I was hoping you'd bring father with you. When is he coming?'
She stopped. She gave a gasp as she saw Alec's face. Though her cheeks were pale before, now their pallor was deathly.
'What is the matter?'
'Isn't it all right?' cried George.
Lucy put her hand on his arm to quieten him. It seemed that Alec could not find words. There was a horrible silence, but they all knew what he had to tell them.
'I'm afraid you must prepare yourself for a great unhappiness,' he said.
'Where's father?' cried Lucy. 'Where's father? Why didn't you bring him with you?'