To Glynn, fresh from the meadowlands of Leicestershire with their neat patterns of hedges, white gates and trees, this corner of the Outer Hebrides upon the edge of the Atlantic had the wildest and most desolate look. The seagulls and curlews cried perpetually above the marsh, and the quiet sea broke upon the sand with a haunting and mournful sound. Glynn looked at the little house set so far away in solitude, and was glad that he had come. To his southern way of thinking, trouble was best met and terrors most easily endured in the lighted ways of cities, where companionship was to be had by the mere stepping across the threshold.
When the trap drove up to the door, there was some delay in answering Glynn's summons. A middle-aged man-servant came at last to the door, and peered out from the doorway in surprise.
"I sent a telegram," said Glynn, "from Loch Boisdale. I am Mr. Glynn."
"A telegram?" said the man. "It will not come up until the morning, sir."
"I brought up a telegram from Lochmaddy. It's from a gentleman who is coming to visit Mrs. Thresk from South Uist."
In the outer islands, where all are curious, news is not always to be had, and the privacy of the telegraph system is not recognised. Glynn laughed, and the same moment the man-servant opened an inner door of the tiny hall. Glynn stepped into a low-roofed parlour which was obviously the one living-room of the house. On his right hand there was a great fireplace with a peat fire burning in the grate, and a high-backed horsehair sofa in front of it. On his left at a small round table Thresk and his wife were dining.
Both Thresk and his wife sprang up as he entered. Linda advanced to him with every mark of surprise upon her face.
"You!" she cried, holding out her hand. "Where have you sprung from?"
"South Uist," said Glynn, repeating his lesson.
"And you have come on to us! That is kind of you! Martin, you must take Mr. Glynn's bag up to the guest-room. I expect you will be wanting your dinner."
"I sent you a telegram asking you whether you would mind if I trespassed upon your hospitality for a night or so."
He saw Linda's eyes fixed upon him with some anxiety, and he continued at once:
A wave of relief passed over Linda's face.