"I see," said Mr. Skee; "and, as we're quotin' proverbs, I might remark that 'While the cat's away the mice will play.'"
Mr. Dykeman smiled. "It's rather a good joke on Hale, isn't it?"
"Would be if he should happen to come home—and find this hen-party on." They both chuckled.
"I guess he's good for a week yet," said Mr. Dykeman. "Those medical associations do a lot of talking. Higher up there, George—a good deal higher."
He ran over to direct the boys, and Mr. Skee, hands behind him, strolled up and down the garden, wearing a meditative smile. He and Andrew Dykeman had been friends for many long years.
Dr. Bellair used her telephone freely after Mr. Skee's departure, making notes and lists of names. Late in the afternoon she found Vivian in the hall.
"I don't see much of you these days, Miss Lane," she said.
The girl flushed. Since Mrs. St. Cloud's coming and their renewed intimacy she had rather avoided the doctor, and that lady had kept herself conspicuously out of the way.
"Don't call me Miss Lane; I'm Vivian—to my friends."
"I hope you count me a friend?" said Dr. Bellair, gravely.