So widely different is the view taken by different people from different standpoints. Behind and before, within sight of both ladies, lay long lines of moor fells, reaches of moorland, across which battalions of cloud-shadows travelled fast and heather-bloom mingled with the greens of grass and bracken. But they did not feast their eyes on Nature's tinting. "I felt it my duty," Barbara remarked, and she spoke with a grim resolution which squared her jaw, and perhaps angered uneasiness below—"I felt it my duty to act. My grandmother has not been herself for some time; anybody must have seen. She has fretted ridiculously about Phyllys; not about her being away, but about the influences under which she is thrown. No doubt there is self-reproach. The child never ought to have gone. And really—the coolness of that woman—Mrs. Keith, I mean—asking if Phyllys might spend another six weeks at Castle Hill! The idea! Of course Phyllys put her up to it. That was what made my grandmother ill yesterday. I told Mr. Jones, and he said it was enough to account for her attack. He agreed that the wisest plan was to have Phyllys back; so I telegraphed on my own responsibility. I felt it to be my duty." "Unquestionably; unequivocally!" purred Miss Robins. "And really, poor dear Mrs. Wyverne was very far from well; you could not have done otherwise." "Yes, it was quite a sharp attack—she is not given to faintness. And at her age, you know! The fact is, one never knows what that sort of thing may mean. One has to be on the safe side." Barbara seemed to be carrying on an argument in defence of herself. "I did not mention to my grandmother what I had done till this morning's telegram arrived, saying when Phyllys would come, and by that time she was on her way." "So she could not be stopped. How sensible of you! And Mrs. Wyverne was pleased—gratified?" "She seemed worried lest Phyllys should be vexed. That shows the position of affairs," added Barbara with vagueness. "But as I said to her, 'What does vexation matter so long as we do what is right?'" "Very true! Very true indeed!" "Things will settle themselves when Phyllys is under proper control. I shall take care that she does not go to Castle Hill again in a hurry. One can see that her head is completely turned. She will come home able to think of nothing but her looks. I wish I could have gone to meet her myself to put things in a right light. But it was impossible, and when Mr. Hazel said he was driving over, and would bring her back, I had to agree. Mrs. Hazel says he hadn't thought of going till he knew about Phyllys." Miss Pringle drove the point of a protesting umbrella into the earth. "The way everybody jumps to do any earthly thing for that silly child—really it is too much!" "She has a wheedling way with men," suggested Miss Robins, who, though a man-despiser, was not above a touch of jealousy towards a woman admired by men.