He gave her an angry glance, but she ignored it.
“Anyone else been?”
“Yes; there was a message from Mrs Smithers, saying she hoped you would drop in after dinner and see her. Her daughter came—the freckly one. The buzzing in her mother’s head had begun again, and Miss Smithers says she is sure it is the port wine, for it always comes after her mother has been drinking port wine for a month.”
“Of course. She eats and drinks twice as much as is good for her.—Did young Wilton say anything about Northwood?”
“Yes,” said Jenny, carelessly. “The new doctor has got the parish work, but he isn’t worked to death. Oh, by the way, there’s a letter on the chimney-piece.”
Leigh rose and took it eagerly, frowning as he read it.
“Bad news, Pierce, dear?”
“Eh? Bad? Oh, dear no; I have to meet Dr Clifton in consultation at three to-morrow, at Sir Montague Russell’s.”
“Oh! I say, Pierce dear, how rapidly you are picking up a practice!”
“Yes,” he said, with a sigh; and then with an effort to be cheerful, “How long will dinner be?”