The door was left partly open as Mrs. Nobbs and the physician entered, and the two in the opposite apartment moved out of range.
The low voices of doctor and patient did not carry beyond the corridor; but at a step Miss Sterling bent forward.
Dr. Temple was taking an instrument from his bag.
"Stethoscope," she whispered.
For several minutes no sound came from the sick-room. The listeners breathed anxiously.
"Good as anybody's!" The tone was emphatic.
Miss Sterling caught Mrs. Albright's hand in a rapturous squeeze.
"Do you mean—no heart disease?" Miss Twining's soft voice was shrilled with incredulous joy.
They could not catch the reply; but they smiled to each other in delight.
Shortly Mrs. Nobbs and the Doctor went downstairs, leaving the door free.