Certainly, if there is, Hector hadn’t attempted to look for it, and strangely, Meg didn’t resent his bluntness. On the contrary, it had the effect, as perhaps Hector had known it would, of bracing her to meet the need of the moment for instinctively she squared her shoulders. “Yes, at once!” she said steadily, and began to walk towards the front door. Jeremy, who had caught his breath at what he felt was Hector’s lack of consideration, put out a restraining hand as she passed him. “Meg, would you like me to come with you?” he asked gently. Meg shook her head without speaking and Jeremy’s hand dropped. He scowled as Meg, closely followed by Hector, went out to his waiting car and the door shut behind them. Poor little Meg, he thought compassionately, what appalling luck that this should have happened at Heronshaw House, of all places! And then, for a moment, his thoughts were deflected from Meg’s predicament by something which had only just occurred to him.
