Part 8 (1/2)
Wulfrey watched the course of events quietly and with a certain equanimity. His mind was quite made up to go abroad, but he would not go till he was satisfied that that was the only course left to him.
Everybody he met was as friendly as ever, the men especially, but sickness was a rare thing with them at any time, and their women-folk seemed to be getting along very well, for the time being without medical a.s.sistance, so far at all events as Dr Wulfrey Dale was concerned.
Mrs Carew was better. Whatever she really believed as to the actual facts of her husband's death, she apparently accepted Dale's statement, to the great relief of her mind and consequent benefit to her health.
She sent for the Doctor as often as she reasonably could, and sometimes without any better reason than her desire to see him. Until at last he told her she was perfectly well and he would come no more unless there were actual need.
”But there is actual need, Wulfrey. It does me good to see you. If you don't come I shall fall into a low state again.”
”If you do I shall know it is simple perversity and I'll send Dr Newman to you.”
”Mollie would never let him in.”
Which was likely enough, for Mollie's mind was quite made up as to the only right and proper course for matters to take under all the present circ.u.mstances.
The March winds brought on a mild epidemic of influenza.
Dr Newman and his new horse were ostentatiously busy. Wulfrey saw that he had waited long enough, and that now it was time to go. No one could accuse him of running away. It was his practice that had found its legs and walked over to Dr Newman.
He made his arrangements at once and by no means downcastly. The hanging-on had been trying. It was new life to be up and doing, with a new world somewhere in front to be discovered and conquered.
He packed his trunks, gave Mr Truscott, the lawyer, instructions to dispose of his house and everything in it except certain specified articles and pictures, arranged with his bankers at Chester to collect and re-invest his dividends, drew out a couple of hundred pounds to go on with, told them he was going abroad and they might not hear from him for some time to come, and went round to say good-bye to Jim Barclay and Elinor Carew.
”Where are you going?” asked Barclay, when he heard he was off.
”Wherever the chase may lead,” said Wulfrey, in better spirits than he had been for many a day. ”I shall go first to the States and Canada and have a good look round. If any place lays hold of me I may settle down there.”
”For good and all?”
”Possibly. Can't say till I see what it's like. I want you to take Graylock and Billyboy till I come back. You know all about them.
There's no one else I'd care to leave 'em with and I don't care to sell them.”
”They'll miss you, same as the rest of us.”
”For a week or two, maybe. Dr Newman is getting into things nicely, but you might give him a lesson or two in riding, Jim.”
”---- him, I'd liefer break his back!” was Barclay's terse comment.
”You'll let me know where you get to, Wulf, and maybe I'll take a run over to see you, if you really find it in your heart to settle out there. I'll bring the horses with me if you like.”
”I'll let you know. Fine sporting country, I believe,--bears, wolves, buffaloes, game of sorts.”
”Well, good-bye and G.o.d bless you, my boy! Remember there'll always be one man in the old country that wants you. I'd sooner die than have that new man poking round me. I'll send for old Tom Tamplin, hanged if I don't.”
Wulfrey rode on to the Hall.
”Going away, Wulf? Where to and for how long?” asked Elinor, anxious and troubled.