“You come to a house of mourning, my boy,” he continued, “though I doubt not you’ll have been prepared for what I have to tell you.”
“My father!” I exclaimed.
“Yes, he’s gone; and really from the condition into which he had fallen, it was a happy release, at all events to the rest of the family, who could not watch him without pain.”
“And my mother?” I answered anxiously.
“She is slowly recovering, and I think that your arrival will do her good,” he said. “Maurice and his young wife have come to live at the castle, and they get on very well with your sisters and their husbands. But what has become of Larry?” he asked, looking down the avenue, expecting to see him following me.
When I told him, and had to mention how I had been so nearly lost, he was greatly grieved.
“I am thankful we did not get your letter saying you were coming, or we should have been very anxious about you,” he said. “Now take your horse round to the stables, while I go in and prepare your mother for your arrival. It’s better not to give her a sudden surprise.”
I did as my uncle told me. As soon as I had entered the courtyard I met Tim Daley, who gave a loud shout as he saw me, and at once, as I knew he would do, inquired for Larry.
“Don’t be asking questions,” I said, fearing that there would be a wild hullaballoo set up in the kitchen, which might reach my mother’s ears before my uncle had time to tell her of my arrival.
“But isn’t Larry come with your honour?” asked Tim.