"Johnnie!" said Joanna despairingly. "Tell her that she's blinding herself."
"Can't you give it up, Char?" he asked her gently. "You can do work here, you know, and let some one else carry on at Questerham."
"Yes, yes, a deputy. Some one who'll be under your orders," breathed Miss Bruce eagerly.
She cordially wished her contribution to the discussion unuttered, however, when it evoked from Johnnie the inspired suggestion: "Miss Jones! Make her your deputy, Char, and the whole thing will go like a house on fire."
Joanna, still pacing the room, gave a quick, short laugh, which made Trevellyan look at her in wondering surprise, and Char in sudden anger.
"May I suggest—" Miss Bruce began timidly, and paused.
"Anything!" said Joanna brusquely.
"Couldn't Dr. Prince tell us whether there is any reason—anything to fear—any danger," faltered Miss Bruce, becoming terribly involved.
Trevellyan came to her rescue.
"You mean whether there is likely to be any immediate change, for worse or for better, in Sir Piers's condition?"