"I'm not busy."
"You seem hurried."
"I'm not. I haven't a thing in the world to do," Marcia burst out.
"Good! Then you can stay a little while," he coaxed. "Now answer this question truthfully, please. You heard what Doctor Stetson said about my returning to New York today. I don't want to be pig-headed and take a risk if it is imprudent; that is neither fair to others nor to myself. Still, it is important that I go and I am anxious to. What is your advice?"
"I think you are too ill."
A frown of annoyance wrinkled his forehead.
"If you will consent to stay where you are a few days, you will then be all right to go," she added.
Obviously the suggestion did not please him. However, he answered more mildly:
"Perhaps you're right. Yet for all that I am disappointed. I want very much to go. It is necessary."
"Can't anything be done from here?" queried she.