"So Willem's feeling better again?" she asked, advancing on the doctor.
"Yes," he answered abstractedly. "I took him upstairs a few minutes ago."
"Strange how the boy wants to remain in this room!" said Mrs. Batholommey.
"M'm——" grunted Dr. McPherson shortly, without looking up at all.
Mrs. Batholommey came nearer and sat down.
"Oh, Doctor! Doctor!" she cried. "The scene that took place here to-night has completely upset me."
The doctor's only reply was to turn his back on Mrs. Batholommey and begin reading his manuscript aloud in an undertone, scratching out a word here, adding something there.
Mrs. Batholommey, quite unconscious that she was a nuisance, leaned back in her chair and let her words flow on.
"Well, Doctor, the breaking off of the engagement is—er—sudden, isn't it? We've been talking it over in the front parlour, Mr. Batholommey and I."
The doctor darted a withering look at her over his spectacles.