“All right, Mary,” said the doctor, gently, seeing that she was quite serious.
“I do not mean to say that most of the people who 'phone are grouchy and disagreeable—far from it. Indeed the majority are pleasant and courteous. But it is those who are not who have routed me, and made me vow my vow. Don't ask me to break it, John, for I will not.”
And having delivered this declaration, Mary felt almost as free and independent as in ante-telephone days.
The doctor had seated himself and leaning forward was swinging his hat restlessly between his knees. He waited five minutes.
“I'll have to get back to the office,” he exclaimed, starting up. “I'm expecting a man to pay me some money. Waiting for the 'phone to ring is like watching for the pot to boil.”
When he had been gone a minute or two, the ring came. With a new step Mary advanced to it.
“Has the doctor got there yet?” the voice had lost none of its grouch.
“He has. And he waited for your message which did not come. He could not wait longer. He has just gone to the office. If you will 'phone him there in two or three minutes, instead of waiting till he is called out again, you will find him.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Blank.” The man was surprised into courtesy.
The clear-cut, distinct sentences were very different from the faltering, apologetic ones, when she had asked for his name or his message twenty minutes before.