about nine o'clock
, and though she never said a word against her father , let me know what pain his doing gave her . But most she grieved that we were leaving Moonfleet , and showed her grief in such pretty ways , as made me almost glad to see her sorry . And from her I learned that Maskew was indeed absent from home , having been called away suddenly last night . The evening was so fine , he said -LRB- and this surprised me , remembering how dark and cold it was with us -RRB- , that he must needs walk round the policies ; but about nine o'clock came back and told her he had got a sudden call to business , which would take him to Weymouth then and there . So to saddle , and off he went on his mare , bidding Grace not to look for him for two nights to come . I know not why it was , but what she said of Maskew made me thoughtful and silent , and she too must be back home lest the old servant that kept house for them should say she had been too long away , and so we parted . Then off I went through the woods and down the village street , but as I passed my old home saw Aunt Jane standing on the doorstep .