“No—only—an English doctor,” said John.
“Mother sent us abroad with him, because they said Fordham must have Swiss air; and poor old Granny still goes on in the same state,” said Cecil. “We got here on Tuesday evening, and saw your names; but then the fog came, and it snowed all yesterday, and the doctor said it would not do for Fordham to go so high. And the more I wanted them to come up with you, the more they would not. Were they out in that snow?”
Here came an order from the doctor not to make his friend talk, and Johnny was glad to obey, and reserve his breath for the explanation. He did not hear what passed between the other two, as they walked behind the carriage.
“A fine fellow that! Is he Cecil’s friend?”
“No, I wish he were. However, it can’t be helped now, in common humanity; and my mother will understand.”
“You mean that it was her wish that we should avoid them.”
“She thinks the influence has not been good for Cecil.”
“That was the reason you gave up the Gemmi so easily.”
“It was. But, as I say, it can’t be helped now, and no harm can be done by going to see whether they are really so ill.”
“Brownlow is the name. I wonder if they are any relation to a man I once knew—a lecturer at one of the hospitals?”