When there, however, she received a shock, for instead of the ordinary placid and competent Jan, was a nervous unhappy Jan, saying that she had been to see the doctor on the evening before and he had ordered her to stop work instantly and go to Bournemouth or Torquay.
"Of course I shall do nothing of the kind until I can find you someone else," she said, "but I know I'm not well. I've been feeling weak for a long while now and I have horrible nights."
"I'm very sorry," said Ben. "It's a good deal my fault too, for allowing you to go on having no proper lunch and getting no midday break. I blame myself seriously, but you know, Jan, you were very obstinate. What does the doctor say it is?"
"He's afraid I may go into a decline," said Jan, "unless I have good air, and do nothing, and drink milk and eat a lot; and—and—I'd much rather be with you."
Mrs. Vicat arrived puffingly to time and again placed her handkerchief within easy range.
"Well, my dear," she said, "what have you decided? I hope it's the Littlehampton home."
"I want you to hear what Mr. St. Quentin, one of the owners of the book shop downstairs, has to say," said Ben.
She rang the bell for Dolly and asked him to invite Mr. St. Quentin to step up.
"This is Mrs. Vicat," said Ben, and she prepared the ground. "Have you any ideas?"
"As a matter of fact, I have," said Patrick. "I have been thinking of nothing else all the morning, and I believe I have the answer. May I say how it strikes me; and you will forgive me if I am too long?