But there was no elation in his tone, rather was there something which made Rose cry out anxiously and incoherently:
“Why—what is it?”
“It’s only that I’d rather hear anything, however discreditable, about Cecil, so long as it was normal, than something which, when all’s said and done, is slightly abnormal.”
“You take a low view of human nature, doctor,” remarked Uncle Alfred.
“A low view and a practical one are often synonymous, I find; if by low, you mean natural as opposed to idealistic,” said the doctor drily.
“The human heart is——”
“For goodness gracious’ sake, Uncle A., don’t say that again!” his niece cried.
The pawnbroker looked at her and then nodded significantly to the doctor.
“Very much overwrought,” he observed sententiously.
“And I’ll thank you to let me speak for myself,” said Mrs. Aviolet, tossing her head.