Already she had hired a capable servant in addition to the scrubby
maid-of-all-work who had sufficed for Mrs. Mutimer, and it was her
intention that henceforth domestic arrangements should be
established on quite another basis.
'I'll telegraph to Dick,' she said, presently. 'I've no doubt he'll
see that everything's done properly.'
'But won't he come himself?'
'We shall see.'
'Is your mother in?'
'She's not very well; I don't think I must disturb her with bad
news. Tell Emma I'm very sorry, will you? I do hope she isn't going
to be ill. You must see that she gets rest now. Was it sudden?' she
added, showing in her face how little disposed she was to dwell on
such gloomy subjects as death and burial.
'She was wandering all yesterday. I don't think she knew anything
after eight o'clock last night. She went off in a sleep.'
When the visitor had gone, Alice drove to the nearest telegraph
office and despatched a message to her brother, giving the news and
asking what should be done. By three o'clock in the afternoon no
reply had yet arrived; but shortly after Mr. Keene presented himself
at the house. Alice had not seen him since her return. He bowed to
her with extreme gravity, and spoke in a subdued voice.
'I grieve that I have lost time, Miss Mutimer.
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