“Ah, yes, I do, but we don’t want to have you doing all you can do. I really think a nurse for a few days will be best.”
“And Irene Macfarlane is here to help me. You don’t know what a help Irene is although she can’t get out of her chair. She answers the telephone and she does more little odd jobs and Grandpa Jim has always liked her more than anybody—until—until—but perhaps she had better not try to help in his room because he has had a strange obsession of late about Irene and dear Uncle Peter Conant.”
“Is Miss Macfarlane here now?”
“Yes, Dr. Coles! Uncle Peter Conant and Irene are both in the dining room waiting to see what I need.”
“The telephone is in the dining room?”
“Yes!”
“Well, Mrs. Dexter, I’ll get you to sit here a moment by your grandfather while I go telephone. He is coming around soon I think, but there is nothing for you to do except sit near him. Call me if you need me.”
CHAPTER VIII
THE PASSING OF THE COLONEL
Irene and her uncle were seated in the dining room in hushed silence. They had come immediately at Mary Louise’s summons. Mr. Conant was bowed over, his gray head in his hands. Occasionally, he emitted a deep groan and muttered to himself: