“Boy.”
“And Clossie—tell us about her. I thought she was so very ill.”
“She has been. She is worn to a shadow. Her flesh is gone——”
“Clossie thin!” ejaculated Mrs. Bonstone.
“As a wraith. I scarcely knew her. She hid her face from me, the poor child. She cried—she thinks she is disfigured for life. She, the mother of my child. I tell you, she’s glorious—absolutely glorious. I never saw a more beautiful woman.”
Mrs. Bonstone exchanged a glance with her husband. Master was frightfully excited. Then she passed a hand over her forehead.
That was a hint to her husband not to excite their friend, and the poor man had never opened his lips. Ladies are queer, even the best of them.
To cap the climax, she said, “Norman, you mustn’t stimulate Rudolph. You two are to be good friends, and will have plenty of time to talk bye and bye.”
Mr. Bonstone gave her one of his speaking glances, then as master was breaking again into animated speech, he said, briefly, “You’re done out. Rest for a bit. I’m going to get you a drop of stimulant,” and he with his wife vanished from the room.