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Updated: May 22, 2025
So at length they came to the Merstons' farm, and with a mingling of relief and dissatisfaction Sylvia realized that any further discussion was out of the question. Merston came out, full of jovial welcome, to meet them, and in a moment she was glad that she had come. For she saw that he was genuinely pleased to see her. "It's most awfully good of you to come," he said, as he helped her down.
"Burke, please! I can't do that. It wouldn't be right. We can't leave Guy to the Kaffirs." "Guy can look after himself," he reiterated. "You have done enough too much in that line already. He doesn't need you with him all daylong." She shook her head. "I think he needs someone. It wouldn't be right I know it wouldn't be right to leave him quite alone. Besides, the Merstons won't want me.
But behind it all was a feverish unrest, a nameless, intangible quality that had never characterized her in former days. She was elusive. Her old delicate confidence in him was absent. She walked warily where once she had trodden without the faintest hesitation. When the meal was over, she checked him as he was on the point of going to Guy. "How soon ought we to start for the Merstons?" she asked.
"I'm going to have another try," said Sylvia, with sudden energy. "I wish you luck," said Mrs. Merston somewhat grimly. From the day of her visit to the Merstons Sylvia took up her old life again, and pursued all her old vocations with a vigour that seemed even more enthusiastic than of yore. Her ministrations to Guy had ceased to be of an arduous character, or indeed to occupy much of her time.
The Merstons' farm certainly did not compare favourably with Burke's. She could not actively condemn Mrs. Merston's obvious distaste for all that life held for her. So far as she could see, there was not a tree on the place, only the horrible prickly pear bushes thrusting out their distorted arms as if exulting in their own nakedness.
Kelly accompanied Burke when, after hurried preparation and consultation with Schafen, he finally took the rough road that wound by the kopje on his way to the Merstons' farm.
She went to the window and nervously straightened the curtain. After a considerable pause his voice came to her there. "I want you to rest this afternoon, and ride over with me to the Merstons after tea. Will you do that?" She turned sharply. "And leave Guy? Oh, no!" Across the room she met his look, and she saw that he meant to have his way. "I wish it," he said. She came slowly back to him.
He paused a moment. Then, "I will let you off to-day," he said. "We will ride out to the kopje instead." He thought she would hail this concession with relief, but she shook her head instantly, her face deeply flushed. "No, I think not! We will go to the Merstons if Guy is well enough. We really ought to go." She baffled him completely. He turned away. "As you will," he said.
But at Burke's request, as they rode upon their way, he promised to return to Blue Hill Farm for that night and the next also if Burke could not return sooner. He did not mean to be absent for more than two nights. His own affairs could not be neglected for longer, though he might decide to send Schafen over to help the Merstons if necessary. "My wife can't look after Guy single-handed," he said.
A hint of admiration sounded in his voice. Kelly the simple-minded had ever been an admirer of art. Sylvia went on very wearily. "The box was kept in a cupboard in the room he was sleeping in. The rest was quite easy. He left the key behind him in the lock. I found it after you and Burke had gone to the Merstons'. I guessed what had happened of course.
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