Mrs.Beatty would ha' come over here to spake to ye, only for fear o' hersel' at the farm," said Pat, jerking his thumb in the direction of the house.

"God keep sorrow from her door; but I'm feared there's throuble in the wind!" I did not quite understand whether the threatened trouble was for Mrs.
Beatty or Mrs.Hollingford.I guessed the latter, and thought immediately of the absent husband and father.

I felt that I could not do better than obey the summons.

Pat promised to wait for me at the gate, and I hastened into the house to prepare for my journey.
"I am going for a walk, Jane," I said, looking in at the school-room door.

"Don't be surprised if I am not in before dark." "But, Margery!" I heard her beginning, and did not wait to hear any more.
How I racked my brains during that walk to try and guess the cause of my sudden summons.