They go out at one door in the bloom of youth, and
come back by another, tired and grey. Haven't you noticed it?'
'No, sir. The only visitors staying here are Miss Barbara and Mr. Karl.
There's just them and yourselves, sir, you and the mistress and Master
Will. That's all.'
'Yes, that's all,' his master says, still unconvinced. 'Who is the
soldier, Dering?'
'Soldier, sir? There is no soldier here except yourself.'
'Isn't there? There was a nurse with him. Who is ill?'
'No one, sir. There's no nurse.' Dering backs away from the old man.
'Would you like me to call the mistress, sir?'
'No, she has gone down to the village. She told me why, but I forget.
Miss Barbara is with her.'
'Miss Barbara is down by the stream, sir.'
'Is she? I think they said they were going to a wedding.' With an old
man's curiosity, 'Who is being married to-day, Dering?'
'I have heard of no wedding, sir. But here is Miss Barbara.'
It is perhaps the first time that Dering has been glad to see Miss
Barbara, who romps in, a merry hoyden, running over with animal spirits.
'Here's the tomboy!' the Colonel cries gaily.
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