She was evidently in close conference with Pratt at that
moment--but as Collingwood drew near she turned and went slowly in the
direction of the house, while Pratt, always outwardly polite, stepped
towards the interrupter of this meeting, and lifted his hat.
"Good morning, Mr. Collingwood," he said. "A fine, sharp morning, sir! I
was just asking Mrs. Mallathorpe's maid how her mistress is this
morning--she was very ill when I left last night. Better, sir, I'm glad
to say--Mrs. Mallathorpe has had a much better night."
"I'm very pleased to hear it," replied Collingwood. He was going towards
the front of the Grange, and Pratt walked at his side, evidently in the
same direction. "I am afraid she has had a great shock. You are still
here, then?" he went on, feeling bound to make some remark, and saying
the first obvious thing. "Still busy?"
"Mr. Eldrick has lent me--so to speak--until the funeral's over,
tomorrow," answered Pratt. "There are a lot of little things in which I
can be useful, you know, Mr. Collingwood. I suppose your
arrangements--you said you were sailing for India--won't permit of your
being present tomorrow, sir?"
Collingwood was not sure if the clerk was fishing for information.
Pratt's manner was always polite, his questions so innocently put, that
it was difficult to know what he was actually after.
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