"Well, call a time-limit, Crete." And then recalled suddenly to the realization that he must begin making the best of a situation that gave every evidence of forcing itself upon him for life, he added hastily, "What's the use of trying that new cure if you're going to pull against it all the time?"
"Do you call this 'pulling against it'?"
"I do, decidedly. Every time that man comes here you're strung about an octave higher than normal."
She looked at him, astonished. "Why, Clinton, I don't feel it myself. I'm not conscious that he affects me that way."
"He does, though. We all know people who affect us that way. And it is not a question of attraction or aversion. Liking or disliking them doesn't alter the fact that they have the power to screw us up. Sometimes, of course, it's a beneficial stimulant, but you shouldn't be taking anything like that just now. Give Dr. Reynolds a chance."
"I will give him a chance. But to-day——Well, I promised Mr. Glover that I'd listen to something that he has written."
"Help! Then he'll probably be here to supper. I didn't know he'd broken into the writing game."
"I didn't either until the other day. But I think it is some advertising for the new springs. He is very versatile. He does a number of things and does them well."
Her brother glanced at her sharply without replying. That note of championship in her voice put an edge on his nerves.
But she was mistaken in her guess concerning advertising matter for the American Carlsbad. For when she and Richard Glover were alone in the living-room he produced a copy of one of the popular magazines. "You remember you said I might read you something to-day?" he began, drawing his chair into a better light.