“But I would not like my uncle to think that I was trying to find out anything he did not care to tell me,” said Olive.

“Oh, don’t trouble yourself about that,” answered Mrs. Easterfield.  “I will instruct the man.  He need not ask any questions at the toll-gate.  But when he gets to Glenford he can find out everything about that young man without asking any questions.  He is a very discreet person.  And I am also a discreet person,” she added, “and you shall have no connection with my messenger’s errand.”

After breakfast the next morning Mrs. Easterfield took Olive aside.  “My man has returned,” she said; “he tells me that Captain Asher took the toll, and was smoking his pipe in perfect health.  He also saw the young man, and his natural curiosity prompted him to ask about him in the town.  He heard that he is the son of one of the captain’s old shipmates who is making him a visit.  Now I hope this satisfies you.”

“Satisfies me!” exclaimed Olive.  “I should have been a great deal better satisfied if I had heard he was sick, provided it was nothing dangerous.  I think my uncle is treating me shamefully.  It is not that I care a snap about his visitor, one way or another, but it is his want of confidence in me that hurts me.  Could he have supposed I should have wanted to stay with him if I had known a young man was coming?”

“Well, my dear,” said Mrs. Easterfield, “I can not send anybody to find out what he supposed.  But I am as certain as I can be certain of anything that there is nothing at all in this bugbear you have conjured up.  No doubt the young man dropped in quite accidentally, and it was his bad luck that prevented him from dropping in before you left.”

Olive shook her head.  “My uncle knew all about it.  His manner showed it.  He has treated me very badly.”

CHAPTER VI

Mr. Claude Locker.

The Foxes arrived at Broadstone at the exact hour of the morning at which they had been expected.  They always did this; even trains which were sometimes delayed when other visitors came were always on time when they carried the Foxes.  They were both perfectly well and happy, as they always were.

As rapidly as it was possible for human beings to do so they absorbed the extraordinary advantages of the house and it surroundings, and they said the right things in such a common-sense fashion that their hostess was proud that she owned such a place, and happy that she had invited them to see it.

In their hearts they liked everything about the place except Olive, and they wondered how they were going to get along with such a glum young person, but they did not talk about her to Mrs. Easterfield; there was too much else.

Mr. Claude Locker was expected on the train by which the Foxes had come, but he did not arrive; and this made it necessary to send again for him in the afternoon.

Mrs. Easterfield tried very hard to cheer up Olive, and to make her entertain the Foxes in her usual lively way, but this was of no use; the young person was not in a good humor, and retired for an afternoon nap.  But as this was an indulgence she very seldom allowed herself, it was not likely that she napped.