“Well, I can stand him if the rest of you can,” Eileen said grudgingly.
“No, wait,” Jean cried. “I think he probably wants to be alone. He’s quite troubled. I know, because I talked to him last night.”
Ted sat down again and finished his coffee. “What’s the matter with him, Jeannie?” he asked.
Jean hesitated. “I’m sorry I said anything,” she said finally. “He confided in me, and I don’t think I ought to betray his confidence.”
Ethel and Ted and Helen nodded.
“Who is Dr. Benson?” Kit asked. “And what have you all got against him?”
Eileen explained about the new intern. She merely said, very justly, that there were several things about him that the rest of them didn’t understand.
“For example, his devotion to the little boy upstairs,” Helen said. “Before Timmy came, I didn’t think he could be devoted to anyone but himself.” She laughed a little. “But of all the funny people to be crazy about!”
Ted nodded. “I think I’m beginning to understand,” he said. “Something tells me that Dr. Benson maybe knows first hand what sort of family Timmy comes from.”
Jean blushed furiously. “Please, let’s stop talking about him.” She looked at Eileen, who was gazing at Dr. Benson as if she saw him for the first time.