She turned a large chair towards the blaze in the fireplace and moved her own a little back, as if to credit her bright color to the heat of the flames.
"Doctors are always welcome," she said.
But that did not satisfy him, and with characteristic directness he pursued the question. "Am I not welcome as a friend, too?"
She bent forward to reach the tongs, and lifted a glowing ember. "You're welcome in every rôle! But you are very formal to-day, aren't you, in spite of your just walking in? Why?"
She was always mistress of herself when she could tease. Ogilvie, however, would not respond to her levity.
"Because doctors may prescribe, and friends may advise; as it happens, I want to do both!"
She sat up very straight and looked at him mockingly. "Dear me!" she said, in the dry tone which usually provoked all his Scotch combativeness.
But to-day that, also, he ignored.
"Where are Mrs. Reeves and the children?" he asked.
"Eleanor has taken Tim on a hunt for nuts, and Yetta is at her lessons."