At the next corner another interruption faced her in the forms of Mary Sherwood and laughing Naughty Nan.
The lively chat was ended with an expostulation from Nan. “Now, Mary Sherwood, hurry. You know that I must do several things this afternoon. I’m going to Mayfield and Green Valley with the handsome black bear, Miss Wadsworth.”
It was the day for her afternoon with Mrs. Towne; it had chanced that she had given to her every Tuesday afternoon. It touched her to find the white-haired, feeble, old lady watching for her at the window. Tessa loved her because she was cultured and beautiful; she loved her voice, her shapely, soft hands, her pretty motions, her elegant and becoming dress, and because—O, foolish Tessa, for a reason that she had tossed away, scorning herself—she was Ralph Towne’s mother. Not once in all these times had she met Dr. Towne in his own home; not until this afternoon in which he was to take Miss Gerard driving.
“My mother is engaged with callers, Miss Tessa; she asked me to take you to her sitting-room, and to take care of you for half an hour.”
“I am sorry to trouble you,” said she confusedly. “I want to see Miss Jewett; I will return in half an hour.”
“And not give me the pleasure of the half hour? When have you and I had half an hour together?”
She remembered.
“On the last night of the old year, was it not? Come with me and ‘take off your things.’ Isn’t that the thing to say?”
Unwillingly she followed him; he wheeled a chair into one of the wide windows overlooking the Park, laid away hat, sacque, and gloves, then seated himself lazily in the chair that he had wheeled to face her own. It was almost like the afternoons in the shabby parlor at home; so like them that she could not at first lift her eyes; in a mirror into which she had glanced, she had noticed how very pale lips and cheeks were and how dark her eyes were glowing.
He bent forward in a professional manner and laid two fingers on her throbbing wrist. “Miss Tessa, what are you doing to lose flesh so?”