“Of course. Dr. Wells would see to that. I expect he brought Jane Hinch with him. He always foists Jane Hinch on his patients. I wouldn’t have her in the house. I don’t consider her efficient. The fact that she is Mrs. Wells’s cousin is no recommendation to me.”
“Mrs. Wells didn’t seem to know what was the matter with Mrs. Mearely, did she?”
“How could she know till the doctor got here? How stupid you are, Corinne!”
“I’m so sleepy.” The big, round eyes blinked.
“Well!” irritatedly. “Is your mother not sleepy too? I do think Mrs. Wells might have waited till morning to telephone. It always upsets me to be waked suddenly like that.”
“But she knew Mrs. Mearely was alone. It must be dreadful to be ill and all alone.”
“You needn’t expatiate on it, Corinne,” sharply. “She has only herself to thank for it. I did my best to prevent her from remaining here alone. But she was ridiculously obstinate about it. She even joined Dr. Wells and the rest of them, in jeering and snickering at my caution. Well, you see what has come of it. That tramp returned and half murdered her with fright. I hope she has learned her lesson.”
“But, mamma, Mrs. Wells, said it was something she ate. At least, she thought it was.”
“Humph!” her mother interrupted. Her tone made “humph” a silencing argument to most opponents.
“Yes, mamma. Because, she said Dr. Wells himself had an attack of indigestion, when he came home; and he hardly ate anything—only some salad and a cheese sandwich.”