A half hour later John sat alone in the library. He had much to disturb a young man trained to obey and at need command, and was feeling the responsibility of an unusual position. At last he wrote a note to his aunt and sent it up to her by a maid. In a few minutes Ann Penhallow appeared.
"What is it, John? I cannot leave James alone long." She sat down. "Now don't keep me."
"I need not detain you long, but I feel that you ought to know, Aunt Ann, that I have had a talk with Tom McGregor and have sent a telegram to Dr. Askew desiring him to come at once and see my uncle. I ought to hear to-morrow."
She rose to her feet. "You did this, John, without a word to me and knowing that your uncle has over and over said he would not listen to anything of the kind. You have taken a great liberty—I shall telegraph for your doctor not to come. James is always better after these attacks."
Much surprised, he said, "These attacks—has he had them before?"
"Oh, twice—very slight."
"But, aunt, do you not understand how serious this one was?"
"He is better already—much better. There should not be any need to remind you that you are not the head of this house. I shall telegraph at once, in the morning, and stop him."
"It will be too late, aunt."
"Then your doctor may go back. I will not see this doctor if in spite of my telegram he should come. You will understand, John, that this ends it. I certainly will not have James constantly irritated. I shall telegraph now—at once."