Miss Grace rose in a direct manner. She controlled her voice with a little nervous cough.
"This is just the person to tell you that you ought to be off for a change," she said as they shook hands with Dr. Merryweather.
Miss Grace told him about Elma's shakiness as though it were a real disease. Mrs. Leighton had never looked upon it as anything more than "just a mannerism," as Miss Grace put it. Dr. Merryweather ran his keen eye over Elma's flushed face.
"You mustn't have too many engagements in your family," he said, "while you remain a convalescent."
He had been only then arranging with Mrs. Leighton that she should take Elma off for a trip.
"Mr. Leighton will go too," he said kindly. "I don't think any of you realize how much your parents have suffered recently."
"Oh, but when?" asked Elma in a most disappointed voice. "Not at once, I hope."
"Almost at once," said Dr. Merryweather. "Before this first wedding at least."
Elma's face fell a trifle.
"Oh, well, I suppose I must," she said. "But so much depends on my being just on the spot--up to Isobel's wedding, you know."