Milly flushed with irritation and coughed. "Ninety-nine," she exclaimed in an exasperated voice.
The old doctor straightened himself and looked round complacently. "Just as I thought, there's nothing seriously wrong here."
"Then you don't think——?" began Joan, but her mother interrupted.
"That's just what I thought you'd say, Doctor Thomas; I felt sure there could be nothing radically wrong with Milly's lungs. Thank God, she comes from very healthy stock! I suppose a good long rest is all that she needs?"
"Exactly, Mrs. Ogden. A good rest, good food, and plenty of air; and no more practising for a bit, Miss Milly. You must keep your shoulders back and your chest well out, and just take things easy."
"But for how long?" Milly asked, with a catch in her voice.
"How long? Oh, for a few months at least."
Milly looked despairingly at Joan, but, try as she would, Joan could not answer that look with the reassuring smile that it was obviously asking for. She turned away and began straightening some music on the piano.
"I must be off," said the doctor, shaking hands. "I shall come in from time to time, just to see that Miss Milly is obeying orders; oh, and I think cod liver oil would prove beneficial."
"No; that I will not!" said Milly firmly.