"Well, well, my dear; what is it?" he said in a kindly voice.
"May I see my mamma now, Doctor?" she asked.
He shook his head, turning to the table to place his hat and gloves upon it.
"Not just yet, little one," he gently replied, and noting her quick- drawn breath of disappointment he added: "Why, I haven't seen her myself, this morning."
"Why do you keep me from her, Doctor Anstruther? Don't you know it's—it's wicked, and cruel?"—a sob in her voice.
The old physician looked down upon the child pityingly.
"Mamma is ill—very ill, you know—and to disturb her might—it might—well, it might make her worse," he explained lamely.
"I won't disturb her. There's a nurse in there, all the time. Why should I disturb my mamma more than a nurse?" asked Alora pleadingly.
He evaded the question. The big eyes disconcerted him.
"When I have seen your mother," said he, "I may let you go to her for a few minutes. But you must be very quiet, so as not to excite her. We must avoid anything of an exciting nature. You understand that, don't you, Lory?"