Dr. MacArthur rose and smiled her into a chair.
“May I present Mr. Immerheld, Miss Carruthers. He is on the administrative staff of the Cornell Medical Centre, and I want him to see the Elijah Wilson. He came unexpectedly and this morning I am upset about Dr. Sterling. Mr. Immerheld used to know Dr. Sterling ... and understands.... Will you please take him around, and see that he sees the heads of all clinics? Cornell has been very kind about approving our rebuilding plans and Mr. Immerheld has been a great prop ... to the hospital. His advice....”
Miss. Carruthers smiled politely at Matthew Higgins, and rose.
“I shall be delighted, Dr. MacArthur.”
Her voice, body and face were brittle, and at the same time authoritative. She was the spun-glass skeleton of what had been a buxomly commanding woman.
“May I leave my hat, Doctor?”
Higgins rose and stood beside Miss Carruthers; as he opened the door, he gave her the “silver threads among the gold” look and she took it as sand does water.
Dr. MacArthur’s voice halted their pleasant unity.
“By the way, Miss Carruthers. Will you be so good as to telephone Miss Kerr just before you go to Medicine Clinic? I am especially anxious for Mr. Immerheld to meet Ethridge Sterling. Go over the building with him. He knew Dr. Bear when he was....”
His voice faded and hers filled the gap.