“You mean, you think they’re related?” Kit asked.
“Oh, no, nothing like that,” Ted explained. “I just have a hunch our new doctor knows a little something about living in the slums.”
Eileen jumped up and ran out of the dining room.
“Well, what’s the matter with her?” Ted demanded.
Ethel laid her hand on Ted’s arm. “I think we’ve discussed it long enough,” she said. “If you’ll excuse me ...” and she got up and walked out of the cafeteria.
Eileen was sitting on a bench in the hall outside of the dining room. Ethel sat down beside her. “Let’s you and me catch up on our sleep,” she said cheerfully.
“And I wouldn’t even give him a date!” Eileen cried. “No wonder he acts so funny. He probably hates us all!”
Ethel put her hand on the young girl’s shoulder. “Never mind, dear,” she said. “Dr. Benson probably understands.”
“But how could he? He must think we’re awful snobs! But we didn’t know! We just thought he was being fresh! And he probably thought that we wouldn’t associate with people who were poor!” She clenched her fists. “Oh, Ethel, and I was worst of all!”
Ethel studied the girl’s intense face. She nodded, but she wisely said nothing about what she was thinking.