Volume Two—Chapter Ten.
Parry Glyddyr is Unwell.
Doctor Asher did not go straight up to the Fort and tell every one that he had seen Chris Lisle coming down from the house. In fact, he hardly gave the meeting a second thought, for his mind was full of other matters.
“Well, young ladies,” he said cheerily, “all alone? I hope I am not too late for a cup of the boon. No? That’s right. Bless the man who first brought tea from China—the deliciously refreshing beverage we drink out of china, eh, Miss Dillon?”
“But you always have it in china, Doctor Asher,” said Mary quaintly.
“No, no, no, no, no,” said the doctor, smiling, as he tapped his cup with his spoon. “I am not going to be inveigled into a chop-logic or punning encounter with you, my dear, because I should be beaten. Come, now, if you want an argument, step on to my ground and give a poor man a chance. Now, what is your opinion of the effect of a vegetable alkaloid on the digestive function?”
“A very poor one,” said Mary quietly. “Can’t argue.”
“Ah, well, but you can sing. Will you?”
“If you wish me to.”
“If I wish you, eh,” said the doctor. “You know I do. But where is Mr Glyddyr? Gone.”