Perhaps, if he had overcome his pride, he might have sooner brought the estrangement to an end.
He did not know, and had forgotten to ask of Snowdon, the number of the house in King's Cross Road where the Hewetts lived.

He could find it, however, by visiting Pennyloaf.

Conquering his hesitation, he was on the point of going forth, when his landlady came up and told him that a young girl wished to see him.

It was Amy Hewett, and her face told him on what errand she had come.
'Mr.Kirkwood,' she began, looking up with embarrassment, for he was all but a stranger to her now, 'mother wants to know if you'd come and see her.

She's very bad; they're afraid she's--' The word was choked.