“You saved his life!” Professor Arbuthnot got up and walked to the window. She could not quite take it all in. The girl appeared entirely different to her. She was looking at a woman who had saved the life of the man she loved.
“And then—” the girl gave a little laugh—“I fainted—wasn’t it ridiculous? I am such an idiot. It makes me ashamed to think of it now—when there was so much to be done—and for me to faint!” She gave an impatient little shake of the head.
“I am sure you never did anything so silly as to faint!” She glanced admiringly at Professor Arbuthnot.
“I don’t think I ever experienced any emotion sufficiently strong to make me.” Miss Arbuthnot spoke so grimly that the girl jumped up hurriedly.
“I’m awfully afraid I am boring you and keeping you from your work——” She gave a glance at the manuscript upon the desk. “I’m sure you are wanting to get at it, and think me very troublesome to tell you all this about myself.”
Professor Arbuthnot looked at her a moment.
“Sit down!” she said imperiously. “I am learning more than if I were working on the physical principles of the nebular theory!”
The girl gave a gay, puzzled little laugh.
“Are you making fun of me? I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”
Miss Arbuthnot waved her remark away impatiently.