The car turned up a gentle hill on the summit of which stood a fine old house, badly in need of repair, with tall white pillars up the front. It was unfenced, no garden, only a wide stretch of grass growing high and rank, and here and there a noble old tree; there was a look of neglect about the place, but it was in no way depressing.
“Queenie’ll be a bit surprised,” said Brett. “She wasn’t expecting anyone but you, Doctor. If you people will make yourselves comfortable on the veranda for a moment…?”
He stopped the car, and they all descended. On the veranda was a row of rocking-chairs. Susie sat down in one; the doctor sat on one side of her, and the fair-haired Carroll on the other. Loder walked past them to the end of the veranda and stood looking out at the horizon. Insects were chir
