Page:The Toll of the Bush.pdf/58

tion he had sometimes tried to enslave in the cause of art remained unshackled and his master; that was all.

‘Dear Mr. Hernshaw—Some time ago you offered to lend me Darwin’s Origin of Species. I did not express any eagerness then, because our household has always accepted evolution, much as we accept gravitation and other things we know perhaps equally little about, and one does not require proof of what one never hears questioned. I have a reason, however, for desiring to see the book now, if you are still able and willing to let me do so.

‘Your name is frequently on Major Milward’s lips, and we are hoping that it is not indisposition which is to blame for the fact that we have not seen you for such a time.

‘I have laid particular injunctions on my brother as to the safeguarding of your book in transit.

‘With kind regards to yourself and Robert, believe me, yours sincerely, Eve Milward.’

Geoffrey found the book, wrapped it up, and fastened it to the game bag; then he took the latter outside and hung it on a post by the patiently waiting horse. He did this so that there should be no need for Sandy to re-enter the house, and having accomplished it, he went into his bedroom and shut the door. He had ceased to notice the stains on the paper now, and his mind was occupied in an endeavour to arrive at the reasons which had dictated the writing of the letter itself.

‘Dear Mr. Hernshaw,’—the word was conventional, of course—of course. ‘One does not require proof of what one never hears questioned.