Just the turn of a hair and Bruce might have lived and been here to look after the children! At the prospect of the crisis, the strain he saw before him, Roger again felt weak and old.

He shook off his dread and strode angrily on.
In his house, the rooms downstairs were still dismantled for the summer.
There was emptiness and silence but no serenity in them now, only the quiet before the storm which he could feel from far and near was gathering about his home.

He heard Deborah on the floor above, and went up and found her making his bed, for the chambermaid had not yet come.

Her voice was a little unnatural.
"It has been a hard day, hasn't it.

I've got your bath-room ready," she said.