‘Positively? Then let me take you. My carriage is at the door.’
‘One thing—I beg you won’t tell my wife that this is serious. Wait till she is out of her anxiety about the child.’
‘You will need the services of a nurse. A most unfortunate thing that you are obliged to go to the hotel.’
‘It can’t be helped. If a nurse is necessary, I must engage one.’
He had the strange sensation of knowing that whatever was needful could be paid for; it relieved his mind immensely. To the rich, illness has none of the worst horrors only understood by the poor.
‘Don’t speak a word more than you can help,’ said the doctor as he watched Reardon withdraw.
Amy stood on the lower stairs, and came down as soon as her husband showed himself.
‘The doctor is good enough to take me in his carriage,’ he whispered. ‘It is better that I should go to bed, and get a good night’s rest. I wish I could have sat with you, Amy.’
‘Is it anything? You look worse than when you came, Edwin.’
‘A feverish cold. Don’t give it a thought, dearest. Go to Willie. Good-night!’