"You can give me a little while, Dr. Carruthers?" she said. "I shall not be interfering with your work?"
"I am quite free"—a little colour came into his cheeks. "The friend whose work I was doing at the House of Mercy returned last night. Yesterday was my last day."
"Ah! and yesterday brought you an unexpected patient. How do you find her?"
"She has less physique than she ought to have."
"Yes, she has been underfed and overworked. I am going to alter all that. I have taken her into my house as my little companion."
Dr. Carruthers stared in spite of himself.
"You think it very odd of me? Well, I am odd, and I can afford to do what pleases me. Mary Gray is going to live here. You should know her father. A quite remarkable man, I consider him. Now, about yourself. I have heard of you, Dr. Carruthers. I have heard that you are a very clever young man and devoted to your work, that you have all the knowledge of the schools at your fingertips, but very little experience, and no practice to speak of."
"Excuse me, Lady Anne. I was three years house surgeon at the Good Samaritan; and I have done a great deal of work since I have been here. I will confess that my patients have been of a poor class."
"Who have not paid you a penny. I don't know whether you do it for philanthropy or to keep your hand in——"
"A little of both," the young man said with a faint smile.