"Yes—I did a bit—just for fun—a hobby, you know—I don't do anything at it now. I took up the brandy——"
Her anxiety to shelve the subject of chemistry seemed to be conquering her reluctance to get on with the story.
"You were making chemical experiments—although Lady Dormer was so ill?" said Parker, severely.
"It was just to occupy my mind," she muttered.
"What was the experiment?"
"I don't remember."
"You can't remember at all?"
"NO!" she almost shouted at him.
"Never mind. You took the brandy upstairs?"
"Yes—at least, it isn't really upstairs. It's all on the same landing, only there are six steps up to Auntie's room. Nurse Armstrong met me at the door, and said 'He's better now,' and I went in and saw General Fentiman sitting in a chair, looking very queer and gray. He was behind a screen where Auntie couldn't see him, or it would have been a great shock to her. Nurse said, 'I've given him his drops and I think a little brandy will put him right again.' So we gave him the brandy—only a small dose, and after a bit, he got less deathly-looking and seemed to be breathing better. I told him we were sending for the doctor, and he said he'd rather go round to Harley Street. I thought it was rash, but Nurse Armstrong said he seemed really better, and it would be a mistake to worry him into doing what he didn't want. So I told Nellie to warn the doctor and send William for a taxi. General Fentiman seemed stronger then, so we helped him downstairs and he went off in the taxi."