'I am perfectly well, thank you.'
' "Perfectly well."For instance, did you thoroughly enjoy riding on horseback yesterday?'
In spite of the evident good faith of the doctor's question, Wych Hazel's cheeks gave such instant swift answer, that he was fain to turn his eyes away.
'Not the October air,' he went on gravely, 'nor the coloured leaves, nor the sunshine; nor even the exhilaration; but the exercise. How is that, compared with a year ago?'
'I am not quite so strong for it, I think,' Hazel answered unwillingly.
'_Im_perfectly well,' said Dr. Arthur. 'And for what are you most inclined when the ride is over?'but again the tell-tale face warned him of dangerous ground.
'I have not been riding much'she said deprecatingly. 'I am all out of practice.'
'That goes for something. Always supposing that it always used to be so when you happened to be "out of practice." '
Hazel was silent.
'These guardians!' said Dr. Arthur with some emphasis. 'I cannot imagine what Mr. Falkirk was thinking of, when he kept you away all summer, letting you wear yourself out!'