"Let her! You're mine, aren't you?"
"Good night."
"Aren't you?"
"Every little bit of me, dear, for ever and ever," she answered.
They said good night again a few minutes later and a little nearer the house. And again after that.
At a quarter to one Wade came to himself after a fashion at the end of the village street, smiling insanely at a white gate-post. With a happy sigh he turned homeward, his hands in his pockets, his head thrown back, and his lips pursed for a tune that forgot to come. A few steps brought him opposite the Doctor's house and the imp of mischief whispered in his ear. Wade laughed aloud. Then he crossed the street under the dark canopy of the elms and-pulled the office bell till it jangled wildly. A head came out of a window above.
"What's wanted?" asked the Doctor's sleepy voice. "Who is it?"
"It's Herrick. Come down, please."
After a moment the key turned and the Doctor, arrayed in a vast figured dressing-gown stood in the open door.
"Is it you?" he asked. "What's wrong? Who's ill"?"