“Well, hardly that. But there was no longer need for her at home, and, on the whole, she felt better to be independent, and so here she has been for the last two years. She shares my room when she is at home, which is not often, and still takes care of me.”
“Most fortunate young lady she is,” murmured the doctor.
“So I am going with them,” continued Iola.
“Then I suppose nobody will see you.” The doctor's tone was quite gloomy.
“Why, I love to see all my friends.”
“It will be the usual thing,” said the doctor, “the same circle crowding you, the same impossibility of getting a word with you.”
“That depends on how much you—” cried Iola, throwing a swift smile at him.
“How much I want to?” interrupted the doctor eagerly. “You know quite well I—”
“How much time there is. You see, one can't be rude. One must speak to all one's friends. But, of course, one can always plan one's time. How ever,” she continued, “one can hardly expect to see much of the very popular Dr. Bulling, whose attention is always so fully taken up.”
“Oh, rot!” said the doctor. “I say, can't we get off a little together? There are nice quiet nooks about the old building.”