It is very sad for him that he cannot take part in the defense, but it is no more fair to blame him than it would be to blame us, because we, too, are noncombatants." Isobel Hannay had taken no part in the first discussion among the ladies, nor did she say anything now.
"It is cruel and unjust," she said to herself, "but they only think as I did.

I was more cruel and unjust than they, for there was no talk of danger then.

I expressed my contempt of him because there was a suspicion that he had showed cowardice ten years ago, while they have seen it shown now when there is fearful peril.

If they are cruel and unjust, what was I ?" Later on the men gathered together at one end of the room, and talked over the situation.
"Dr.Wade," the Major said quietly, "I shall be obliged if you will go and ask Mr.Bathurst to join us.

He knows the people round here better than any of us, and his opinion will be valuable." The Doctor, who had several times been in to see Bathurst, went to his room.
"The Major wants you to join us, Bathurst; we are having a talk over things, and he wishes to have your opinion.