A few moments later, carefully muffling her voice so that her father might not hear her, Dorothy called up the doctor and was told that the physician would call at The Cedars as soon as possible, probably about eleven o’clock.
She went down to the living room and found Tavia and Nat quite evidently absorbed in each other’s company. She was about to retreat and leave them to themselves when Tavia spied her and called out merrily.
“No reserved seats in here,” she told Dorothy gravely, as the latter slowly returned and sank down into one of the big, comfortable chairs. “Everybody invited, free of charge. Why the long face, Doro darling? Any new and dreadful thing happened?”
“I have called Doctor Paugh to see Dad,” returned Dorothy wearily. “He will be here soon, I think.”
“Why, Doro, is it as bad as that?” asked Tavia, with quick sympathy. “I had no idea he was really ill.”
“Have you ever known the Major to stay in bed when he didn’t have to?” retorted Dorothy, and something in her tone and manner convinced both Tavia and Nat that there was more to the Major’s indisposition than they had imagined.
They were silent for a few moments, then Nat spoke softly to Dorothy.
“Tavia has just been telling me what you found out from Jack Popella.”
Dorothy glanced up and Nat added quickly:
“You can’t put too much stock in what that fellow tells you, Dot. His word would be the last I’d trust.”