"No. Dr. Driggs is very anxious. He wants a consultation. While I was there Mr. Ronald called up Dr. Webster—Elihu Webster, from home. He's coming up with two nurses——"
"And Mrs. Ronald is going to wait for him? That's obliging of her, I'm sure!"
"Dr. Driggs had asked Mr. Ronald to let him have Dr. Ballard. He had asked, before they got Dr. Webster on the wire. Then, the first name Dr. Webster suggested was Dr. Ballard's. He called him 'the best skill in New England.' Said he was of 'national repute.'"
"You mean Driggs did. Well, what then? Driggs is getting old. He sometimes muddles. He's probably got this young sprig here confused with the great one."
"No, grandmother. Dr. Webster said it. Dr. Driggs only repeated what Dr. Webster said."
During the pause following Katherine's statement, Madam Crewe sat quite still, apparently absorbed in contemplation of her two, tiny hands, lying folded and motionless in her lap. When, at length, she looked up, a curious ghost of a smile curled the corners of her mouth.
"Really I am uncommonly gratified. You see, I can't help thinking, how barely I missed the honor of being this young man's grandmother. I'd have liked to have a grandchild of whom I could be proud."
Katherine winced. "I'm sorry I've disappointed you," she said bitterly.
"Don't mention it. It's not the first disappointment I've had in my life. It probably won't be the last. Moreover, now that you know, undoubtedly you'll think better of your decision to give him up. You'll marry him, after all, in spite of the loss of me and my money. So I'll have my eminent grandson, whether I want him or not."
"Grandmother!"