Where is her father? asked Doctor Varian, impatiently. It will be dark before we get to our picnic. Why dont they come?
He gave a loud view-halloo, but only the echoes from the rocky heights answered him.
I knew it! and Minna Varian began to wring her hands. He and Betty are quarreling, I am sure of it!
What do you mean, Min? Whats this quarreling business about?
Theyve always done it, its nothing new. They adore each other, but theyre eternally disagreeing and fighting it out. Theyre quite capable of forgetting all about us, and arguing out some foolish subject while we sit here waiting for them!
Ill go and stir them up, the doctor said, starting in the direction of the house.
Oh, no, Herbert. Its a hard climb, and youve enough walking ahead of you.
Ill go, and Ted Landon looked inquiringly at Mrs Varian.
Oh, whats the use? she said; theyll surely appear in a minute.
So they all waited a few minutes longer and then Janet Varian spoke up.
I think its a shame to keep us here like this. Go on up to the house, Mr Landon, do. Tell those two foolish people that they must come on or the picnic will proceed without them.
All right, said Ted, and began sprinting over the rocks.
Im going, too, and Claire Blackwood followed Landon.
We may as well all go, and have our picnic on our own verandah, said Minna, complainingly, and though Doctor Varian would have preferred that to any further exertions, he did not say so.
Its always like this, Minnas querulous voice went on; whenever we start to go anywhere, somebody has to go back for something and theyre so slow and so inconsiderate of other peoples feelings
There they go, interrupted Doctor Varian as the two latest emissaries went up over the rocks. Now the house will swallow them up!
Oh, Herbert, dont say such awful things, wailed Minna; you sound positively creepy! I have a feeling of fear of that house anyway, I believe it would like to swallow people up!
Ought we to intrude? Claire Blackwood laughingly asked of Landon, as they neared the house; if Betty and her father want to quarrel, they ought to be allowed to do so in peace.
Oh, well, if they insist, well go away again, and let them have it out comfortably. Queer thing, for Daughter and Dad to make a habit of scrapping!
I take Mrs Varians statements with a grain of salt, said Claire, sagely. Shes not awfully well balanced, that woman, and I doubt if Betty and her father are half as black as theyre painted. Shall we ring the bell or walk right in?
But this question needed no answer, for as they mounted the steps of the verandah and neared the open front door, they were confronted by the sight of Mr Frederick Varian sprawled at full length on the floor of the hall.
Oh, heavens, what is the matter? cried Claire; the man has had a stroke or something!
Landon went nearer, and with a grave face, stooped down to the prostrate figure.
Claire, he whispered, looking up at her with a white face, Claire, this man is dead.
What? No, no! it cant be
Yes, he is, Im almost certain, I dont think Id better touch him, or, should I? It can do no harm to feel for his heart, no, it is not beating, what does it mean? Wheres Miss Varian?
Think quickly, Mr Landon, what we ought to do. Claire Blackwood spoke earnestly, and tried to pull herself together. We must be careful to do the right thing. I should say, before we even think of Miss Betty we should call Doctor Varian up here
The very thing! Will you call him, or shall I?
Considerately, Landon gave her her choice.
With a shuddering glance at the still figure, Claire said, You call him, but let me go with you.
They stepped out on the veranda, and Landon waved his hand at the group of waiting people below him.
Then he beckoned, but no one definitely responded.
Ill have to shout, Ted said, with a regretful look. Somehow I hate to, the presence of death seemed to restrain him.
But of necessity, he called out, Doctor Varian, come here.
The distance was almost too far for his voice to carry, but because of his imperative gestures, Herbert Varian said: Guess Ill have to go. Lord! What can be the trick theyre trying to cut up? I vow I wont come back here! Ill eat my picnic in your dining-room, Minna.
As you like, she returned, indifferently. I hate picnics, anyway. But for goodness sake, Herbert, do one thing or the other. If youd really rather not go to the woods, take your baskets, and well all go back to the house. Its getting late, anyway.
Wait a bit, counseled the doctor. You people stay here, till I go up to the house, and see whats doing. Then if I beckon you, come along back, all of you. If I dont break my neck getting up there!
Dont go, Father, begged Eleanor; let me go. What in the world can they want of you?
No, Ill go. I suppose theres a leak in the pipes or something.
Herbert Varian went off at a gait that belied his recalcitrant attitude, and as he neared the house, he could see the white faces and grave air of the two that awaited him.
Whats the great idea? he called out, cheerily.
A serious matter, Doctor Varian, replied Landon. An accident, or sudden illness