Kitty spent the day at the hospital, and didn’t go home until Hazel came in on night duty. Her father had gone to his office in the early afternoon, but he, also, was ready to go home as Kitty left. She was very tired, but so relieved that Billy was getting well that nothing else mattered.
As they walked home in the twilight she could still feel her father’s depression. When they had gone a block in silence she slipped her hand through his arm and asked, “What’s wrong, Dad? Billy’s going to be all right, isn’t he?”
“Oh yes. Yes indeed! His throat has cleared up remarkably fast.”
“But you’re still worried about something.”
“I’m afraid I am, Kitten. It’s not a new worry by any means. Things are rather messed up at the hospital in connection with my work.”
“What do you mean, Dad? I’ve felt for a long time that something was wrong.”
“I haven’t wanted to worry you, but if you must know there’s a shortage somewhere—a leak that I can’t locate.”
“Oh!”
“The inspector’s coming next week.” Her father’s tone was bitter. “I wouldn’t want to follow Dawson to Santiago, or somewhere else equally as remote.”