He fell asleep tracing out the thread of the argument presented that day by the counsel for the defense.
CHAPTER X
CASUS BELLI
Dr. Melton looked up in some surprise from his circle of lamplight as his goddaughter came swiftly into the room. “Your mother worse?” he queried sharply.
“No, no, dear Godfather. I just thought I’d come over and see you for a while. I had a little headache—Marietta’s back from Cleveland to-day, and she and Flora Burgess are at the house—”
“You’ve said enough. I’m thankful that you have this refuge to fly to from such—”
“Oh, Flora’s not so bad as you make her out, the queer, kind little old dowdy—only I didn’t feel like talking ‘parties,’ and ‘who’s who,’ to-night—and their being with Mother made it all right for me to leave her.”
The doctor took off his eye-shade and showed his little wizened face rather paler than usual. “That’s a combination that would kill me, and your mother not well yet—still, many folks, many tastes.”