Mrs. Ames was not very imaginative, but it occurred to her that the newly-planted magnolia had not been prospering.
“No real cause for anxiety,” he said. “But the fact is that I went to see Dr. Evans this morning—don’t be frightened, my dear—and got thoroughly overhauled by him, thoroughly overhauled. He said there was no reason for anxiety, assured me of it. But I’m gouty, my dear, there’s no doubt of it, and of course you remember about your poor Aunt Harriet. Well, there it is. And he says Harrogate. A bore, of course, but Harrogate. But no cause for anxiety: he told me so twice.”
Mrs. Ames gave one moment to calm, clear, oyster-like reflection, unhurried, unalarmed. There was no shadow of reason why she should tell him what Mrs. Evans’ plans were. But it was odd that she should suddenly decide to stop in Riseborough, instead of going to Harrogate, having heard from Harry that the Ames’ were to remain at home, and Lyndhurst as suddenly be impelled to go to Harrogate, instead of stopping in Riseborough. A curious coincidence. Everybody seemed to be making plans. At any rate she would not add to their number, but only acquiesce in those which were made.
“My dear Lyndhurst, what an upset!” she said. “Of course, if you tell me there is no cause for anxiety, I will not be anxious. Does Dr. Evans recommend you to go to Harrogate now? You must tell me all he said. They always go in August, do they not? That will be pleasant for you. But I am afraid you will find the waters far from palatable.”
Major Ames felt that he had not made a sufficiently important impression.
“Of course, I told Dr. Evans I could decide nothing till I had consulted you,” he said. “It seems a great break-up to leave you and Harry here and go away like this. It was that I was thinking of, not whether waters a palatable or not. I have more than half a mind not to go. I daresay I shall worry through all right without.”
Again Mrs. Ames made a little pause.
“You must do as Dr. Evans tells you to do,” she said. “I am sure he is not faddy or fussy.”
Major Ames’ experience of him this morning fully endorsed this. Certainly he had been neither, whatever the difference between the two might be.
“Well, my dear, if both you and Dr. Evans are agreed,” he said, “I mustn’t set myself up against you.”