The superintendent went out to obey the order, and the examiner turned to the others.
"Hum!" he smiled significantly. "I think I had better go and send her here myself." As he turned to go he bowed and said: "I shall see you again, I hope."
"I hope so," smiled Mrs. Marsh graciously. "We dine at the hotel at seven-thirty. Won't you join us?"
Dr. McMutrie bowed.
"You are very good."
With another ceremonious salute, he opened the door leading to the female ward and disappeared.
"Honestly, mother," gasped Tod, "you take my breath away. You've seen that man only once, and yet you call him 'dear man' and squeeze his arm and all that kind of thing. He must think you're crazy."
"I wish you wouldn't be so critical, son," replied his mother, with mock severity. "We were asking a favor. It is no time to be freezingly formal."
"Freezingly formal?" echoed the young man. "Why, you've invited him to dinner!"
"Well, you shall chaperon us," she answered, laughing. More seriously she went on: "Besides, I had an object! Your stepfather, Mr. Marsh, has followed me here!"