"Think you can mind the office while I run around with these medicines?" he asked sternly.
"Sure!" Ann's assent was placid.
"What'll you say if any one comes and asks for the doctor—or me?"
"You're out delivering medicines and the doctor's been called away very sudden."
"What'll you tell them if they ask you what he's been called away to?"
"Oh, I'll just say they needn't worry, 'tisn't anything catching."
Bubble allowed his face to relax. He even displayed a grudging admiration for this feminine diplomacy.
"And you wouldn't be telling lies, either," he remarked approvingly.
"All the same," with a return to gloom, "we can't keep it a secret.
Folks are bound to find out. You can bet your eyes on that!"
Ann nodded. "I expect most of them know by now. Any one that wanted to could see them. He didn't seem to care. They drove right down the main street and you could see the picnic basket sticking out at the side!"
"O cricky! Isn't that just like him? You'd think he wanted the whole town to know he'd gone off picnicking with a girl. But I'd have thought Esther Coombe would have better sense!"