I’ll let your father know you're here and bring back the latest news of the conflagration. Compose yourself, little one. I don’t want to have to dub you into unconsciousness," He leaned over her, avoiding her eyes. For a second his cheek lay against her forehead, but when he straightened he had a faint, sardonic smile. "A slight temperature, but nothing alarming. Go to sleep, child. You can talk later." The door opened and dosed behind Kent. Loudly, ostentatiously, the key snicked in the lock. CHAPTER ELEVEN RENNIE was awakened by the full-toned bark of a dog just outside the curtained window. She heard Kent’s hasty, "Shut up, you brute!" and a scuffling sound as though he were thrusting the dog out into the garden. The room was dark, but she knew at once where she was. It needed no effort to recollect the circumstance which had brought her to Elands Ridge this afternoon. It seemed as if the odour of burning maize still lingered in her nostrils. There came a light tap at the door and she answered, "Come in." She noticed that Kent did not have to turn the key in the lock.
