This was not an unusual occurrence, as Dick often woke early and went riding. After eating breakfast with Mrs. McKinlay, she wandered towards the stables. Even though riding was out of the question now, each day without fail she took Bolinda Vale a treat. One of the young grooms exercised her, and he, like Laurie, was the little filly's devoted slave. Not being able to ride was one of her greatest regrets. How she envied Dick, who went out regularly, sometimes staying away for hours at a time. None of them begrudged him this, the only thing that eased his troubled mind. By dinnertime her worry escalated to frightening proportions. He never missed their evening meal. Some of her anxiety transmitted itself to George. “I’ll ride out and search for him one we’ve finished eating.” As they prepared to sit down to a meal she wouldn’t be able to eat, urgent hammering on the door interrupted them. “Can’t a man eat his dinner in peace? George growled as he left the room to see who it was.
