All that he knew was that the only competent person in a rather crazy household had returned to it, and that business was now likely to go forward.

He had brought some important letters, and he laid them nominally before his employer, but really before Elizabeth.

He and she talked; the Squire smoked and listened, morosely aloof.

Yet by the end of the agent's visit a grudging but definite consent had been given to the great timber deal; and Elizabeth hurried off as Captain Dell departed--thankful for the distant sound of the first bell for dinner.
* * * * * Sitting up in bed that night, with her hands behind her head, while a westerly wind blew about the house, Elizabeth again did her best to examine both her conscience and her situation.
The summons which had taken her home had been a peremptory one.

Her mother, who had been ill for a good many months, had suddenly suffered some brain injury, which had reduced her to a childish helplessness.