Here news awaited him.  On his arrival all seemed well; Ruth opened the door, answered his greeting in her quiet, respectful way, and at once brought tea to the study.  When he rang to have the things taken away, Ruth again appeared, and he saw now that she had something unusual to say.

‘I didn’t like to trouble you the first thing, sir,’ she began —­ ’but Sarah left yesterday without giving any notice; and I think it’s perhaps as well she did, sir.  I’ve heard some things about her not at all nice.’

‘We must find someone else, then,’ replied Harvey.  ’It’s lucky she didn’t go at a less convenient time.  Was there some unpleasantness between you?’

’I had warned her, for her own good, sir, that was all.  And there’s something else I had perhaps better tell you now, sir.’  Her voice, with its pleasant Welsh accent, faltered ominously.  ’I’m very sorry indeed to say it, sir, but I shall be obliged to leave as soon as Mrs. Rolfe can spare me.’

Harvey was overwhelmed.  He looked upon Ruth as a permanent member of the household.  She had made herself indispensable; to her was owing the freedom from domestic harassment which Alma had always enjoyed —­ a most exceptional blessing, yet regarded, after all this time, as a matter of course.  The departure of Ruth meant conflict with ordinary servants, in which Alma would assuredly be worsted.  At this critical moment of their life, scarcely could anything more disastrous have happened.  Seeing her master’s consternation, Ruth was sore troubled, and hastened to explain herself.

’My brother’s wife has just died, sir, and left him with three young children, and there’s no one else can be of help to him but me.  He wanted me to come at once, but, of course, I told him I couldn’t do that.  No one can be sorry for his wife’s death; she was such a poor, silly, complaining, useless creature; he hasn’t had a quiet day since he married her.  She belonged to Liverpool, and there they were married, and when he brought her to Carnarvon I said to myself as soon as I saw her that she wouldn’t be much use to a working-man.  She began the very first day to complain and to grumble, and she’s gone on with it ever since.  When I was there in my last holiday I really wondered how he bore his life.  There’s many women of that kind, sir, but I never knew one as bad as her —­ never.  Everything was too much trouble for her, and she didn’t know how to do a thing in the house.  I didn’t mean to trouble you with such things, sir.  I only told you just to show why I don’t feel I can refuse to go and help him, and try to give him a little peace and quiet.  He’s a hard-working man, and the children aren’t very healthy, and I’m sure I don’t know how he’d manage ——­ ’

’You have no choice, Ruth, I see.  Well, we must hope to find some one in your place —­ but ——­’

Just as he shook his head, the house-bell rang, and Ruth withdrew to answer it.  In a minute or two the study door opened again.  Harvey looked up and saw Alma.