The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900 ... - Gredos

The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900)
"Did I say anything to you just now — when you took me out of the wood?"
"Yes, madam."
"I thought I was dying," she murmured. "That will do; I — I do not want you any more,
Simon."
It was well that she closed her eyes then, else she would have seen that on Simon's face
which would have disturbed her — a protest, a sudden resolution. But he said nothing,
and went quickly out of the room. Miss Belinda was waiting for him on the threshold.
"Simon," she cried in a scandalised tone, "eh Simon, whatever did you go in there for?
The for'ardness of it! Why, I wouldn't go in myself now Madam's there; and the Squire
turned out by the doctor and all, and her to be kept so quiet! Eh, my gracious goodness,
and to think of your walkin' up like that into the lady's room!"
"Madam Charnock sent for me," he returned very quietly.
“Sent for thee, did she? And whatever did she want?"
[173]
Simon's lips curled with the rather bitter smile which they had worn once before that
day. "I do not think she knows herself, Aunt Binney. The poor lady is wandering, you
must remember. She sent for me to say she did not want me."
Downstairs the Squire was standing with his back to the fire — he had called out for a
fire when he found the doctor's deliberations would probably be lengthy — speaking in
loud cheery tones. He was one of those men who are always in extremes, and now his
relief at finding that his wife's accident was not likely to prove fatal had made him
forget the agitation and disappointment of the morning. He loved her as much as it was
in his nature to love anything, and had passed the most anxious and uncomfortable
hours of his life while waiting for the doctor to arrive from Liverpool, but now, in the
reaction, his spirits rebounded unnecessarily high. Madam was going to get well at once
— she had a splendid constitution, she would be up and about before anybody knew
where they were. She would have the best of care and attention at the Farm, he was sure
of that. Her own maid was there, moreover, and, as Rachel had set her heart upon
staying with her mother, well so she might, for one night at least. Friend Fleetwood
would extend his hospitality to her; and Miss Belinda, too, was sure to look after her.