As the woman spoke she went back to the sick-room and shut the door in Barbara’s face. Just for a moment the girl lingered on the landing, then a resolved expression filled her eyes.
“You will not let me in without Dr. Tarbot’s permission. Then I will go and obtain it,” she said aloud. “I will see Piers, come what may.”
She ran down-stairs. Mrs. Pelham met her on the landing.
“Well?” she said eagerly. “Did you see him? What did you think of him? Was the nurse very unpleasant? Oh, Barbara dear, I shall go mad if nothing is done! Oh, if I could only get that woman out of the house!”
“She seems a good and capable nurse,” said Barbara. “Don’t get too nervous, please, Mrs. Pelham. The boy is ill, and I should like beyond anything to be with him. No, dear, she would not let me see him. He heard me, and called me, the darling; but she would not let me in. I have made up my mind, however. I am going straight off now to get Dr. Tarbot’s permission. If he says I may see Piers, it will be all right.”
“That’s splendid, Barbara! Do go at once. It is so queer that the only person who is allowed freely to see the dear little fellow is Dick. Dr. Tarbot does not mind Dick being with him, nor does the nurse, and Dick calls every day. He will be here soon. It is the greatest possible comfort to me to have the dear fellow about the house. He is almost like a son of my own. You know, dear, how much I have always loved him. Oh, and you are engaged to him, Barbara. Yes, I know; the report has reached me. He will be a husband in a thousand. I am glad you are going to be happy with him some day. Yes, when Dick comes he will sit with Piers, but he does not often come until late, and if you could be with the darling until Dick arrives I should not be nearly so anxious.”
“Well, hope for the best now, dear Mrs. Pelham. I will go off at once to see Dr. Tarbot.”
Barbara ran down-stairs. Ashley Mansions was within a stone’s throw of Harley Street. In less than five minutes she was standing on the steps of Dr. Tarbot’s house, and the door was immediately opened in answer to her ring. She asked if Dr. Tarbot was in.
“Yes, Miss,” replied the footman.
“I want to see him immediately.”