"You may do as you like," Mrs. Doolan said indignantly; "but if
you think that we are going to do anything so cruel and unjust,
you are entirely mistaken, I can tell you."
Mrs. Rintoul was equally emphatic, and Mrs. Hunter quietly, but with
as much decision, protested. "I have always regarded Mr. Bathurst
as a friend," she said, "and I shall continue to do so. It is very
sad for him that he cannot take part in the defense, but it is no
more fair to blame him than it would be to blame us, because we,
too, are noncombatants."
Isobel Hannay had taken no part in the first discussion among the
ladies, nor did she say anything now.
"It is cruel and unjust," she said to herself, "but they only think
as I did. I was more cruel and unjust than they, for there was no
talk of danger then. I expressed my contempt of him because there
was a suspicion that he had showed cowardice ten years ago, while
they have seen it shown now when there is fearful peril. If they
are cruel and unjust, what was I?"
Later on the men gathered together at one end of the room, and
talked over the situation.
"Dr. Wade," the Major said quietly, "I shall be obliged if you will
go and ask Mr. Bathurst to join us. He knows the people round here
better than any of us, and his opinion will be valuable."
The Doctor, who had several times been in to see Bathurst, went to
his room.
"The Major wants you to join us, Bathurst; we are having a talk
over things, and he wishes to have your opinion.
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