I mean, of course, I know you have a bad headache, a very bad headache, as I can see.

But--indeed, Mrs.Goddard, I have something of importance to say." "Something of importance ?" she repeated, staring hard at him.
"Yes--but it will keep till to-morrow, if you would rather not hear it now," he replied, looking at her doubtfully.
"I would rather hear it now," she answered after some seconds of silence.
Her heart beat fast.
"You were good enough some time ago to tell me about--Mr.Goddard," began Mr.Juxon in woeful trepidation.
"Yes," answered his companion under her breath.

Her hands were clasped tightly together upon her knees and her eyes sought the squire's anxiously and then looked away again in fear.
"Well, it is about him," continued Mr.Juxon in a gentle voice.

"Would you rather put it off?
It is--well, rather startling." Mrs.Goddard closed her eyes, like a person expecting to suffer some terrible pain.

She thought Mr.Juxon was going to tell her that Walter had been captured in the village.
"Mr.Goddard has escaped," said the squire, making a bold plunge with the whole truth.