Of the servant who opened to
him he inquired if Mrs Yule was at home, and received an answer
in the affirmative.
'Any company with her?'
'A lady--Mrs Carter.'
'Then please to give my name, and ask if Mrs Yule can see me.'
He was speedily conducted to the drawing-room, where he found the
lady of the house, her son, and Mrs Carter. For Mrs Reardon his
eye sought in vain.
'I'm so glad you have come,' said Mrs Yule, in a confidential
tone. 'I have been wishing to see you. Of course, you know of our
sad trouble?'
'I have heard of it only to-day.'
'From Mr Reardon himself?'
'No; I haven't seen him.'
'I do wish you had! We should have been so anxious to know how he
impressed you.'
'How he impressed me?'
'My mother has got hold of the notion,' put in John Yule, 'that
he's not exactly compos mentis. I'll admit that he went on in a
queer sort of way the last time I saw him.'
'And my husband thinks he is rather strange,' remarked Mrs
Carter.
'He has gone back to the hospital, I understand--'
'To a new branch that has just been opened in the City Road,'
replied Mrs Yule.
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