"Yes, I came right through from Millflowers."
"By the express I hope, this time, however," I answered with a smile.
"Oh, Mr Payne," I went on, in a tone of relief, "I am so glad you have
mentioned it. I am so longing to know something about the Grim--
Grimsthorpe and those poor people, and I have been wondering how I could
ask you, without committing any terrible breach of--etiquette, or
whatever it is I should call it."
He did not laugh or smile, but took my question in sober earnest, which
I was very glad of.
"Ask me anything you like," he said quietly. "Your doing so cannot
infringe any rule, written or unwritten. As to what I may be able to
answer, that is a different matter, but I know you will not
misunderstand if I am unable to say much. Perhaps I may ask you a
question in the first place? Have you heard anything of--the Greys
lately? Your friends, their neighbours, are still at the Manor-house I
suppose--they are residents there, are they not?"
"Oh dear, yes," I replied. "The Wynyards have been at Millflowers from
time immemorial. So of course they know all that any outsider can know
about Grimsthorpe. But Mr Wynyard put down gossip with an iron hand--
that was why Moore--my brother--and I were _so_ grateful to Mr Grey for
agreeing that nothing should be said about that--that inexcusable
intrusion."
"Your brother is only a schoolboy, when all is said and done," said
Clarence, as I momentarily hesitated.