"She said you, sir. And she isn't a patient. I asked her, thinking she might have made a mistake and took you for a real doctor what practices. She said she didn't want doctoring. She wanted you. She's a young person I never saw before, sir."
"But, good Heavens, man, it's after eleven o'clock!"
"Yes, sir." On the manservant's face was an expression of lively curiosity and disapproval, mingled with a subdued but unholy mirth which was not lost on the doctor, and which particularly exasperated him.
"What in thunder can a woman with a baby want of me at this time of— What's her name?" demanded the doctor.
"She didn't say, sir."
"Well, go ask her."
The butler coughed slightly, but made no move to leave the room.
"I did ask her, sir. She declined to give it."
"Declined to— Well, I like her impertinence."
"Yes, sir. She said you'd"—the servant's voice faltered and swerved ever so slightly from its well-trained impassiveness—"er—understand, sir."