"Why I would do it, mother," said Faith. She went off, however, into the other room and sat down gravely, quite the other side of the fireplace from the tea-table. Dr. Harrison was standing on the rug with his back to the fire, and followed her with his eye.
"How do you do?" he said in a softened voice, stepping a step nearer to her. She looked up and gave him a frank and kind "very well!"
Was it altogether professional, the way in which he took up her hand and held it an instant?
"Cool, and quiet," he said. "It's all right. I didn't frighten you out of your wits yesterday?"
The "no, sir," was in a different tone.
"Do you suppose," he said, "that your mother will ever bear the sight of me again?"
"Why I hope so, sir," said Faith smiling.
"I don't know!" he said. "I wonder if I have been so much more wicked than I knew of? I don't think I have. I couldn't have punished myself any more."
Mrs. Derrick came in, followed by teapot and muffins, and having with her usual politeness requested the doctor to take a seat at the table, she proceeded to pour him out a cup of tea, nor even stinted him in sugar.
"If I stay at home according to your orders," said Mr. Linden, "I shall have all the trustees after me."