"No, not to-night," said Dorothy suddenly. "I have something very special to say to Mrs. Staunton—perhaps you would stay and listen too, George?"
George did not mind being called by his Christian name by Dorothy. She was regarded by the Stauntons as part and parcel of the family.
"I'll do anything to oblige you," he said, giving the handsome nurse a look of genuine admiration. "Come, mother, if we are not to go out, we can at least sit near each other."
He drew up a chair close to his mother as he spoke, and put one of his arms round her neck. She leaned her head on his shoulder, and sat there in perfect content.
After a time one of his strong hands closed over hers. She had never, even in the doctor's time, felt more warmly and happily protected.
"Yes, Dorothy, what have you to say?" she remarked. "George and I are all attention."
"George and you!" laughed Dorothy. "I never saw such a devoted pair. Why, you are just like a pair of lovers."
"Well, we are lovers, aren't we, mother?" said the son.
"Yes, my boy," she replied. "No love was ever stronger than that which binds us together."
"I love to hear you say that," remarked Dorothy; "but now I want to talk on quite another matter. I am very anxious about Effie."