“Will you let me get down here, please?” said Mary. “I don’t want to make them think it is the doctor, as they would only feel disappointed.”
Mr Cheviott got down and helped Mary out of the carriage.
“Would you mind my waiting here an instant?” he said with some hesitation. “Dr Brandreth cannot be here for five or ten minutes yet, and I should be so glad to hear how your father is, and if I can be of any more use.”
“I will run back and tell you—in a moment,” said Mary.
There was no need for her to ring or knock at the hall door. It was on the latch as she had left it, and in a moment, at the sound of her opening it, Alexa, George, and Josey appeared.
“Oh! Mary, we have been so frightened about you,” they began.
“But first tell me how papa is,” she interrupted.
“Better, a little better. He opened his eyes and smiled at mamma, and now he seems to be sleeping, really sleeping, not in that dreadful sort of way,” said Alexa.
Mary gave a sigh of thankfulness.
“Run in and tell mamma Dr Brandreth will be here in five minutes. Has she been very frightened about me?”