"She said I'd—the deuce she did!" exploded the doctor under his breath, flushing an angry red and leaping to his feet. "Didn't you tell her Mrs. Thayer was gone?" he demanded at last, wheeling savagely.
"I did, sir, and—"
"Well?"
"She said she was glad; that she wanted only you, anyway."
"Wanted only—! Comes here at this time of night with a bag and a baby, refuses to give her name, and says I'll understand!" snarled the doctor. "Oh, come, Hawkins, this is some colossal mistake, or a fool hoax, or— What kind of looking specimen is she?"
Hawkins, who had known the doctor from his Knickerbocker days, was guilty of a slow grin.
"She's a—a very good looker, sir."
"Oh, she is! Well—er, tell her I can't possibly see her; that I've gone to bed—away—sick—something! Anything! Tell her she'll have to see Mrs. Thayer."
"Yes, sir." Still the man made no move to go. "She—er—beg pardon, sir—but she'll be that cut up, I fear, sir. You see, she's been cryin'. And she's young—very young."
"Crying!"