Nurse hurried away.
"Is your throat very bad, Richard darling?"
"Worse and worse," the little boy whispered.
"My loved one, mother's so dreadfully sorry. Never mind. The doctor will soon be here. Could you open your mouth and let mother look at it? All right, my sweetheart, don't agitate yourself. I won't fuss you, but when the doctor comes you must try to let him see what's the matter. Darling boy, mother's so dreadfully sorry it hurts."
She sat by the bed keeping the yellow curls from his eyes and soothing him with her voice.
Presently nurse came back.
"Pinkney's gone just as she is, ma'am, without waiting to pop on anything. Let's hope Dr. Marlow is at home. And what about the gentleman in the drawing-room, do you wish for him to do anything?"
"Apologize to him, please, nurse, from me for leaving him so abruptly and explain about Master Richard. Say how sorry I am not to be able to say good night myself. How very sorry.... What is it, Richard darling? It's mother beside you. Try to lie still, dearest. I know it hurts horribly. But try to lie still."