Then she nodded at her maid; and a moment later the door
closed.
III
"I have two matters to speak of," said the squire abruptly, sitting down
in the chair that Alice had left; "the first concerns you closely; and
the other less closely."
She looked at him, summoning all her power to appear at her ease.
He seemed far older than when she had last spoken with him, perhaps five
years ago; and had grown a little pointed beard; his hair, too, seemed
thinner--such of it as she could see beneath the house-cap that he wore;
his face, especially about his blue, angry-looking eyes, was covered
with fine wrinkles, and his hands were clearly the hands of an old man,
at once delicate and sinewy. He was in a dark suit, still with his cloak
upon him; and in low boots. He sat still as upright as ever, turned a
little in his chair, so as to clasp its back with one strong hand.
"Yes, sir?" she said.
"I will begin with the second first. It is of my son Robin: I wish to
know what news you have of him. He hath not written to me this six
months back. And I hear that letters sometimes come to you from him."
Marjorie hesitated.
"He is very well, so far as I know," she said.
"And when is he to be made priest?" he demanded sharply.
Marjorie drew a breath to give herself time; she knew that she must not
answer this; and did not know how to say so with civility.
"If he has not told you himself, sir," she said, "I cannot.
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