"If I am depressed, you are certainly remarkably cheerful," he retorted sarcastically, coming to a halt in front of her and regarding her angrily from under his bushy eyebrows.
"I am exceedingly cheerful; and can you wonder at it after the news you have just given me?"
"You are either the most wonderful actress, young lady, or——" He stopped and changed his sentence. "Perhaps you see some way out?"
"Way out? What do you mean?"
"Good God!" he almost shouted at her, "can't you understand? How are you going to tell him?"
"I am not going to tell him."
"You are not going to tell him? But he is going to live. He isn't going to die. And what are you going to do when he speaks—of marriage? He hinted at it just now."
"He has spoken of marriage," said Philippa calmly. She had grown attached to the doctor and had lost all fear of his rough speech.
"Then you'll have to tell him."
"Oh no. I have promised to marry him as soon as ever he is strong enough."