“Certainly; I have seen nothing to make me think otherwise,” with more insistence, as he still looked dubious.
“Where is Miss Carter now?”
“Breakfasting in her room, Martha told me. She has volunteered to spend the morning with her aunt, and—”
“Then you must go to your room and rest.” Roberts started down the staircase. “I have promised Nash to return to-night. If an emergency arises, you have my telephone number,” and the busy physician hurried away just as Martha appeared in Mrs. Nash’s doorway.
“Please, Miss—Ma’am,” she came further into the hall at sight of Miriam. “Mrs. Nash is sleeping nicely. Can I get Miss Betty to come to her aunt?”
“Surely, Martha,” but the housekeeper still hung back, instead of going on her errand, and she added, “What is it?”
Martha came nearer and lowered her voice.
“Before she fell asleep she said to tell you to ask her husband to send for her maid, Somers, to come and help take care of her,” and her message delivered in one breathless sentence, Martha went down the hall to Betty’s bedroom.
Miriam went thoughtfully over to the alcove and arranged the soiled dishes on her breakfast tray while she considered Mrs. Nash’s message. If Somers was the right kind of person she would be invaluable. Martha’s white face, and nervous, excitable manner pointed inevitably to one conclusion—Martha’s usefulness as a nurse’s aid would soon be a thing of the past, indeed, if indications could be depended upon, she might become a patient herself; for to Miriam’s practiced eye, the housekeeper was on the verge of a nervous collapse.
From where she stood in the window, Miriam caught sight of Alan talking to Doctor Nash in the driveway which led to the garage. Apparently Alan spoke rapidly, with quick jerky movements of his hands, while the clergyman contented himself with a nod of his head now and then; suddenly Alan whirled around and went in the direction of the garage. Nash, left to himself, stood still for a minute, then commenced pacing slowly up and down, each turn bringing him nearer the house. Miriam’s eyes brightened. Here was her opportunity to deliver Mrs. Nash’s message and to talk to Nash undisturbed. Since his arrival in the sick room the night before she had had no chance to speak to him, other than brief statements as to his wife’s condition. But she had recognized him instantly upon his entrance as Betty Carter’s companion on Monday night.