The last
thing that Armine had seen was a wave of the hand to hasten his own
departure, as Allen despatched him for his mother, and gave orders
for the summoning of others more needed, but who might not be fetched
so promptly.
Then Jock had time to question whether Barbara ought to go on with
him and Armine to the door, but there was a sound in her "Let me! I
must!" that they could not withstand; and they walked on in absolute
silence, except that Jock said Reeves knew exactly what to do.
Dr. Medlicott's carriage was at the door, and on their ringing, they
were silently beckoned into the dining-room, where their mother came
to them. She could not speak at first, but the way in which she
kissed Barbara told them how it was. All had been over before she
reached the house. Dr. Medlicott had come, but could do nothing more
than direct Allen how to support the sufferer as he sank, with but
little struggle, while a sudden beam of joy and gladness lit up his
face at the last. There had been no word from the first. By the
time the flow of blood ceased, the power of speech was gone, and
there was thus less reason to regret the absence of the nearest and
dearest.
Mrs. Brownlow said she must await their return with Allen, who was
terribly shocked and overcome by this his first and sudden contact
with death.
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