"From Tommy?" questioned Mrs. Ralston.
"No. From Captain Monck. Tommy is ill—very ill. Malaria again. He thinks I had better go to him."
"Oh, my dear!" Mrs. Ralston's exclamation held dismay.
Stella met it by holding out to her the message. "Tommy down with malaria," it said. "Condition serious. Come if you are able. Monck."
Mrs. Ralston rose. She seemed to be more agitated than Stella. "I shall go too," she said.
"No, dear, no!" Stella stopped her. "There is no need for that. I shall be all right. I am perfectly strong now, stronger than you are. And they say malaria never attacks newcomers so badly. No. I will go alone. I won't be answerable to your husband for you. Really, dear, really, I am in earnest."
Her insistence prevailed, albeit Mrs. Ralston yielded very unwillingly. She was not very strong, and she knew well that her husband would be greatly averse to her taking such a step. But the thought of Stella going alone was even harder to face till her look suddenly fell upon Peter the Great standing motionless behind her chair.
"Ah well, you will have Peter," she said with relief.
And Stella, who was bending already over her reply telegram, replied instantly with one of her rare smiles. "Of course I shall have Peter!"
Peter's responding smile was good to see. "I will take care of my mem-sahib," he said.