"Hollo, sir!" said the doctor, as Reuben passed the open doorway. "A word with you." Reuben paused, then came back a step.
"So you are Mr. Linden's friend, are you?" said the doctor in a careless manner.
"Did you want anything of me, sir?" Reuben said.
"Why yes—I commonly want an answer to a question."
"I don't just know what you mean by a friend, Dr. Harrison," said
Reuben respectfully. "I might answer wrong."
"So rather than do that—You like to be on the safe side. Suppose you ask Mr. Linden to teach you definitions, among other things? And look here—keep him quiet and don't let anybody talk him out of his sleep to night. That's all." And the doctor followed Reuben immediately.
With a feeling of satisfaction certainly, Mrs. Derrick at last locked and bolted the front door, shutting out the driving mist and all that might hide within it; and then went to look after the only treasure the house contained. She wasn't far to seek, for as the locking and bolting sounded through the house, Faith came down and went with her mother into the sitting-room.
"Have you had nothing to eat yet, mother!" she exclaimed as her eye fell on the orderly tea-tray.
"No child—nor sha'n't want it, till I see you have something."
Faith smiled a little, came and put her arms round her and kissed her; and then set about the whole work of getting tea over again. It was with a very pale face yet; only the silver ring of her voice told the change of the mental atmosphere. Her mother looked at her—but was perhaps afraid to ask any questions to disturb the quiet.