“No, it's only a cold. I've been up to see him—”

He took her hand—she smiled up at him—“Did you enjoy your visit?” She fastened the necklace.

“Clare, stay in to-night. It may be nothing but if the boy got worse—”

“Do you want me to stay?”

“Yes.”

“I wanted you to go with me this afternoon—”

“That was different. The boy may be really ill—”

“You didn't do what I wanted this afternoon. Why should I do what you want now?”

“Clare, stay. Please, please—”

She took her hand gently out of his, and, as she went out of the door switched off the electric light.