Now then, back to my post! You must
forgive me, Howard, but my flock are paramount."
"But won't you want me, papa?" said Maud. "Couldn't I be of use?"
"Certainly not," said the Vicar; "there's nothing whatever to be
done till Grierson arrives--just to ward off the ministrations of
the relatives. There she must lie--I feel no doubt it is syncope;
every symptom points to syncope--poor soul! A very interesting
case."
He fled from the room like a whirlwind, and they heard him run down
the garden. The two looked at each other and smiled. "Poor Mrs.
Darby!" said Maud, "she is such a nice old woman; but papa will do
everything that can be done for her; he really knows all about it,
and he is splendid in illness--he never loses his head, and he is
very gentle; he has saved several lives in the village by knowing
what to do. Would you really like to go out with me? I'll be ready
in a minute."
"Let us go up on the downs," said Howard, "I should like that very
much. I daresay we shall hear Jack shooting somewhere."
Maud was back in a moment; in a rough cloak and cap she looked
enchanting to Howard's eyes. She walked lightly and quickly beside
him. "You must take your own pace," said Howard, "I'll try to keep
up--one gets very lazy at Cambridge about exercise--won't you go on
with what you were saying? I know your father has told you about my
aunt's plan. I can't realise it yet; but I want to feel at home
here now--indeed I do feel that already--and I like to know how
things stand.
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