"Never you mind," I said to her, soothing her. "You are not to trouble your little head about these matters. I am here, darling, and you can rest from all housekeeping worries now."
And so at last I had my treasure to myself. She was very fluttery, and cried a little—which I did not wonder at—but soon composed herself, and proudly displayed the little one cuddled to her dear breast under the bedclothes. He was a lovely baby (and at this time of writing is the most beautiful boy you ever saw—the image of me, Tom says); and I felt, when I took him into my arms, as if my own happy young mother-days had come over again.
"Now, Phyllis dear," I said to her, as I laid him back into his nest, "I don't want to bother or disturb you in the slightest degree, but I do want to know whether it was your wish, as Mrs. Juke declares it was——"
However, before I could get the question out, or she could answer, the door opened; and there stood the nurse, looking at me with her nasty, hard eyes, as if I were some venomous reptile; and Errington was behind her. She had actually been to fetch him—he lived almost next door—in her rage with me for having had the firmness to keep her in her place. He was one of these modern young doctors who swear by the new ways, and of course he believed her tales and took her part against me.
"Mrs. Braye," he began, trying to be very professional and superior, "I must beg of you to leave my patient's room. The nurse has my orders not to allow her to talk or to be agitated in any way. I do not wish her to see people at present."
"I will take care," I answered, with dignity, "that she does not see people."
"Excuse me—she is seeing people now."
"I suppose you are not aware," I said, very quietly, "that I am your patient's mother? It seems to be taken for granted in this house that such a person does not exist."
"I am aware of it," he was good enough to admit; "I recognise the fact, Mrs. Braye, and sympathise with your feelings, believe me. But, if you will allow me to say so, you are so excitable—you have such a quick, nervous temperament——"
"And who has dared to discuss my temperament with you?" I demanded furiously—for this was the last straw—an utter stranger, a boy young enough to have been my son! "Where is Dr. Juke? I will ask him to explain. Mrs. Juke"—she was lurking in the passage outside—"will you be kind enough to send Edmund to me? After all, he is the medical authority here."