'I don't! I don't! How can you tell if I do or do not? The idea's nonsense. It's a figment of the brain. I'm--I'm run down, and I fancy things--that's all. Besides, how could he call so that I could hear him--all the way--from Cressland? He must be dead--long since! long since! You're a fool, woman, to suppose he isn't dead--a fool! a fool!' He seemed to suddenly realise how he was talking, and to see our startled faces. 'Why are you all looking at me like that? What's the matter? There's nothing wrong. Reggie, I've not--been very well--lately. You're quite right, I'm a different man. All this--has been too much for me. I want--I want--Who's that calling?' 'It's James.' 'James? It's Babbacombe! It's Babbacombe! What's the use of his calling? They've fastened him down. They did it before I came. What shall I do? What shall I do?' He stood there before us all, sobbing like a child. The old gentleman they spoke of as Sir Gregory went up to him. 'Come, my dear sir, you must control yourself. The excitement has been too much for you. If you're not careful, you'll be ill.' But I heard Dr. Clinton whisper to the young gentleman who'd brought us there-- 'If I were you, I'd see what's inside that coffin.' 'I intend to.' Suddenly Pollie and Jimmy, overtaken by sudden alarm, came running to me. And they began to cry. 'Where's Daddy?' wailed Jimmy. 'Oh, mother, where is Daddy?' 'Hush!' I said. I drew them quite close to me. 'You'll see him before very long.' CHAPTER XIX IN TELEPATHIC COMMUNICATION The rest of the events of that day do seem so jumbled together. I can hardly remember all that happened. Miss Desmond took the children and me into a room upstairs that big you could have put almost the whole of our house in Little Olive Street inside of it. There was a bed in it and all sorts of things, but the idea of my sleeping in it was too ridiculous. But it seemed that I was going to. There were two servants to wait on us, both grander than me, and one that dignified I didn't dare to look her in the face. When they went out for something, I begged and prayed Miss Desmond not to let them come back again, for they did make me that uncomfortable that I didn't know what I was doing. She smiled, in that quiet way she had, and when the one who spoke and looked as if she was a perfect lady--and I'm sure she was much more of a lady than ever I shall be--came back again, Miss Desmond got rid of her with some excuse or other, and glad enough I was.