“Hello!” with a fiercely falling inflection.
“Dr. Blank,” said the faint voice, “I forgot how you said to take those red tablets.” Mary caught all the sentence though only the last three words came distinctly.
“Yes?” Her husband's ‘yes’ was plainly an interrogation waiting for what was to follow. She understood. He had heard only the words “those red tablets.” Again she must interpose.
“Doctor, she says she forgot how you told her to take those red tablets.”
“O! Why, take one every—”
Mary hung up the receiver and went back to resume her interrupted nap. She settled back on the cushions and by and by became oblivious to all about her. Sweetly she slept for awhile then started up rubbing her eyes. She went hurriedly to the 'phone and put the receiver to her ear. Silence.
“Hello?” she said. No answer. Smiling a little foolishly she went back to her chair. “It isn't surprising that I dreamed it.” For a few minutes she lay looking out into the snow flakes of the cherry blooms. Then came the bell—three rings.
“I hope it's John asking me to drive to the country,” she thought as she hurried to the 'phone. It was not. It was a woman's voice asking,
“How much of that gargle must I use at a time?”
“Oh dear,” thought Mary, “what questions people do ask! When a gargler is a-gargling, I should think she could tell how much to use.”