"I wish I could, though!"
"You talk just like my little Doctor," she gasped—"my—own little Doctor.... I've got a little surprise for you—about remunerative work," she went on, "only I can't tell you now, because it's a secret. Promise that you won't make me tell you."
He promised.
Suddenly, without knowing why, she began to cry, her cheek against his breast. "You've had a sad life, little Doctor—a sad life. But I am going to make it all up to you—if you will show me the way."
Presently she became aware that her telephone was ringing, and ringing as though it had been at it for some time.
"Oh bother! They won't let us have even a little minute together after all these years. I suppose you must let me go—"
She turned from the desk with the most beautiful smile he had ever seen upon a face.
"It's for you!"
"For me?" he echoed like a man in a dream. "That is—very strange."
Strange, indeed! Outside, the dull world was wagging on as before, unaware that there had taken place in this enchanted room the most momentous event in history.