'Nervous? What rot! I never heard such nonsense. I say, Edith, what's the doctor's address? In case he has a fit, or anything.'
'Oh, Bruce! As if he would dream of having a fit! I shan't give you the address. You'd be telephoning to him on the chance. Good gracious, don't make such a fuss! I shall only be gone a few minutes.'
'I'm not making a fuss. It's you. Fancy thinking it necessary to tell me not to give him what he asks for! As if I should.'
He returned to his paper, and Edith brought in the little boy.
He gave his father a keen glance from under his smooth, fair fringe and sat down in front of the box of toys.
As soon as Edith had gone he held out a card to his father, and said—
'E for efalunt.'
Bruce frowned, nodded, waved his hand, and went on reading.
He had lost the thread of the Egg Question, but became equally absorbed in the following problem.
'Disheartened.—You must make a quiet but determined stand against such imposition. It does not follow because you walked out with a young man two or three times, and he now walks out with your friend instead, that …'