Vivian was eager to ask her what it was, but a door opened down one side passage and the doctor quietly disappeared down the other, as Mrs. St. Cloud came out.
"I thought I heard your voice," she said. "And Miss Elder's, wasn't it?"
"No; it was Dr. Bellair."
"A strong character, and a fine physician, I understand. I'm sorry she does not like me."
Mrs. St. Cloud's smile made it seem impossible that anyone should dislike her.
Vivian could not, however, deny the fact, and was not diplomatic enough to smooth it over, which her more experienced friend proceeded to do.
"It is temperamental," she said gently. "If we had gone to school together we would not have been friends. She is strong, downright, progressive; I am weaker, more sensitive, better able to bear than to do. You must find her so stimulating."
"Yes," the girl said. "She was talking to me about my school."
"Your school?"