"And I am afraid that your brother isn't very well either."

She looked at him with troubled eyes. "I am distressed about Rupert. He
has taken this death of his friend so terribly to heart. I have never
known him morbid about anything before. It is really strange because I
don't think he was greatly attached to Mr. Carfax. There were things I
know that he didn't like."

"Yes. He doesn't look the kind of fellow who would let his mind dwell on
things. He looks too healthy."

"No. He came in to see us for an hour last night and sat there without a
word. I played to him--he seemed not to hear it. And generally he cares
for music."

"I'm afraid"--their eyes met and Olva held hers until he had finished
his sentence--"I'm afraid that it must seem a little lonely and gloomy
for you here--in this house--after your years abroad."

She looked away from him into the fire.

"Yes," she said, speaking with sudden intensity. "I hate it. I have
hated it always--this house, Cambridge, the life we lead here. I love
my mother, but since I have been abroad something has happened to change
her. There is no confidence between us now. And it is lonely because she
speaks so little--I am afraid she is really very ill, but she refuses to
see a doctor. . . ."

Then her voice was softer again, and she leant forward a little towards
him. "And I have told you this, Mr. Dune, because if you will you can
help me--all of us. Do you know that she liked you immensely the other
even big? I have never known her take to any one at once, so strongly.
She told me afterwards that you had done her more good than fifty
doctors--just your being there--so that if, sometimes, you could come
and see her----"

He did not know what it was that suddenly, at her words, brought the
terror back to him. He saw Mrs. Craven so upright, so motionless,
looking at him across the room--with recognition, with some implied
claim. Why, he had spoken scarcely ten words to her. How could he
possibly have been of any use to her? And then, afraid lest his
momentary pause had been noticeable, he said eagerly---

"It is very kind of Mrs. Craven to say that. Of course I will come
if she really cares about it. I am not a man of many friends or many
occupations. . . ."

She broke in upon him--

"You could be if you cared. I know, because Rupert has told me. They all
think you wonderful, but you don't care. Don't throw away friends, Mr.
Dune--one can be so lonely without them.