III



"Willy, make haste, I beg of you; I shall miss my train. It is now
exactly half-past nine."

"You had better go without me; I cannot start now. I haven't nearly
got my things together."

"Very well, very well."

Willy walked from room to room tying and untying brown paper parcels
in his most methodical and most dilatory manner. His sisters stood
watching him from the drawing-room door.

"Did father tell you nothing when Berkins left? They had a row, hadn't
they? It isn't off, is it?"

"I wish you would not speak so loud, Sally; you can be heard all over
the house."

"Do tell us."

"But I don't know. Father was very much upset. I couldn't speak to him
about my own business, I know that."