“Oh, that’s thanks to Miss Earle—she’s awfully fussy about little things like that,” said Judy, laughing. “This is Miss Earle, Dr. Firth. She’s the worst we’ve had!”
“Judith!” said her mother in a voice of ice.
“I can well believe you think so, judging by your fine state of polish,” said Dr. Firth, laughing. “You seem to have done wonders, Miss Earle—congratulations.” He had risen to shake hands with me: I liked his firm grip and his straight glance. “Now, where are you going to sit while I get you some tea? Jack, my boy, there’s a chair over there”: and Jack was off like a flash to fetch it.
To be waited upon at The Towers was something new to me. I looked round nervously. But some one else had claimed Mrs. McNab’s attention and every one appeared to be already supplied with tea; there was nothing for me but to do as I was bid and sit down. I did so thankfully, for I was tired enough after my day in the kitchen. Jack and Judy, already full-fed, had wandered away, and presently I was enjoying my tea, with my new friend sitting near me—our two chairs somewhat apart from the crowd.
“Now you are not to move for twenty minutes,” he said, in a cool tone of command. “Doctor’s orders, and therefore not to be disregarded. No, you needn’t argue,” as I opened my mouth. His tone was so final that I pretended that I had merely opened it to put cake into it, and he laughed.
“That’s better. There are plenty of young fellows here to hand round teacups. And I want to talk to you. Mrs. McNab has been telling me that you are a doctor’s daughter. Not Denis Earle’s daughter, by any chance?”
“My father was Denis Earle,” I said, wondering—and wondered still more at the change in his face.
“If you knew how glad I am to find you!” he said. “I knew you when you were a baby, my dear. Did Denis ever speak to you of Gerald Firth?”
“Oh—often!” I cried. “But I thought you were in England. He—he just loved you, you know!” I felt an ache in my throat; my eyes swam as I looked at his kind face.
He moved his chair so that he sheltered me from every one else.