I ought to move that, Walter Teller thought, before the damp comes and ruins the lot. But he stood where he was, looking toward the house, his back to the darkness beyond the stream.

"A penny for your thoughts," his brother said.

Walter had forgot that he was there. Peter had taken two of the chairs and brought them together so that he could rest his bad leg, sitting quietly as he often did when he was in grievous pain. Turning, Walter said, "Sorry?"

"You were miles away," Peter commented, lightly tapping his chair's leg with his cane.

"Birthdays remind me that I'm a year older," Walter lied.

"Any of that whisky left? My leg is being attacked by angry devils."

"Yes, I think so." He went to the drinks table, found a clean glass, and poured a measure of whisky into it.

"Thanks." Peter downed half of it in one swallow.

"You ought to be careful of that," Walter said, keeping his voice level, without judgment.

"So they tell me. Which is why I wait until I'm going up to bed. It helps me sleep." He shifted his leg, searching for comfort. "I should have gone back to London tonight, with Edwin. But I couldn't face bouncing about in the motorcar for hours on end. Cowardly of me, wasn't it?" he added wryly.

"Why? This is where the four of us grew up. You. Edwin. Leticia. Myself. It will always be home." But it was in fact Edwin's house. The eldest son's inheritance. He himself lived here because Edwin preferred London. It had been a thorn in his side for ten years, this kindness, but Jenny loved Witch Hazel Farm, and so he had said nothing. It was a small sacrifice to make for her sake.

"Jenny and I are going up to London tomorrow," he went on. "You and Susannah can come with us or stay on here for a few days." Walter considered his brother. The damaged leg was beyond repair. And there was no doubt his pain was real. Still, of late there were times when he had the feeling that Peter's nightly whisky dulled more than the ache of torn muscle and smashed nerves. "All's well between you and Susannah?" he asked lightly.