Jean smiled again. “Well, not exactly,” she admitted. “You see, when the hospital first opened, Ted Loring and I had a long talk about clinics and things. And he gave me the idea, sort of. He said a clinic was a place where people exercised cooperation, ingenuity and hard work. So I put the idea down on canvas. You know, the man and woman and child joining hands in a field of grain. And then, of all things, Dr. Loring swiped it! He donated it!”
Dr. Benson smiled wryly. “It sounds like a motto he might make up.”
“What’s the matter with it?” Jean demanded.
“Let’s go out tonight, and I’ll tell you,” Dr. Benson said.
She smiled at him. “I’m sorry, Dr. Benson, but I can’t.”
“But you’re off tonight. I saw the schedules.”
Jean smiled. “But I thought you knew. I’m engaged. I’m not free to accept dates. I’m sure one of the other girls....”
“You mean you’re turning me down just because you’ve got a ring? I hear your man is in Europe. That’s pretty far away. And a pretty little girl like you shouldn’t be sitting home nights, just because—”
Jean brushed past him. “I’m sorry,” she said shortly.
Dr. Benson grabbed her arm. “Now wait, honey. Don’t get sore. I mean, what’s the harm? I’m not asking you to break your engagement. I just wanted to have some fun. You look as if you could use some yourself.”