“If I had my way,” the doctor exploded, rising to the bait at once, “I’d fine ’em a hundred dollars for going over four miles an hour.”
“But in your profession you find them useful?” inquired Barnes, though he knew from the way the doctor had shouted “Whoa” as he entered the yard that he was too loyal to his horse to admit such slander.
“Bah! D’ye think I’d risk my patient’s life to say nothing of my own in one of the things? When I start I want to be sure of getting there. What d’ye think I’d have done last night at Mrs. Van Dusen’s with only a minute to spare?”
Aunt Philomela glanced up with interest.
“A boy,” he informed her.
Her eyes warmed.
Barnes drew him on further to tell of some of the cases in the neighborhood in which Aunt Philomela was interested. This turned out to be an inexhaustible theme and revealed the fact that in the work of relief organization Aunt Philomela was the doctor’s good right arm. The two of them were evidently a self-appointed board of charities for the village. Aunt Philomela lost herself in the discussion, so that her spirits soon revived again. In fact, with the weight of the secret off her mind, she appeared even more vivacious than usual, which left Barnes, although still obliged to listen attentively with his eyes, free to follow his own thoughts. And Miss Van Patten, though she apparently hung upon every word that was spoken, was no less free to pursue the trend of her own thoughts. And both were conscious that each was doing this.
There are blessed limits as to how far this matter of chaperonage may be carried. Given two people well in tune with one another and it is doubtful if it amounts to very much. There are instances of two who, at opposite ends of a crowded church, have successfully found one another, and in consequence heard but little of the sermon. There are those who, in the midst of a vast crowd with the band playing and people huzzaing, have felt themselves as secluded as in a country lane.
It is certain that Barnes found himself conversing quite freely with her who, leaning forward, was giving such attention to her aunt. No words were spoken, to be sure, for there was no need of words.
“You appear more beautiful to-night than I’ve ever seen you,” he began boldly, if silently.