The doctor waited, and presently the voice said: "I've put you through to Miss Vivian."
"Hallo!" exclaimed a weary tone. "Miss Vivian speaking."
"Good-evening," said the doctor briskly. "What time am I to call for you tomorrow afternoon?"
"Oh, is that you, Dr. Prince? But you really mustn't trouble to call for me; I can hire something."
"Not on Christmas Eve."
"Perhaps not. Well, let me see. Unless anything unforeseen occurs I think I could get away by eight."
"That will do splendidly," ruefully said the doctor, aware of sacrificing truth to diplomacy. "I suppose your office work will go on without you just the same?"
There was a pause, which the doctor interpreted as an astounded one.
"The office will treat Christmas Day as a Sunday. It will probably be necessary for me to come in during the afternoon, as I do on Sundays, but only for a few hours."
The doctor gathered himself together for a Machiavellian effort.