'I do not take this from your hand, Hazel, but from your mother's. You cannot give me anything to-day but the original. I hope she will know how I hold both.'
It was time to rejoin the people in the drawing-room, but it suited
Hazel to let Dane go in by himself and to follow afterwards alone.
She did not so escape Mrs. Coles.
'I thought,' remarked that lady with a significant smile, 'that your housekeeper was too skilled in her business to need consultation with anybody.'
'Prudentia,' said Dane, 'you are not looking well.'
'That is very impolitefrom a gentleman to a lady.'
'Not from a brother to a sister, though.'
A flush rose into Mrs. Coles' cheeks, which were pale enough, and a strange confusion of expressions for a moment reigned there. She was plainly surprised, evidently gratified, as evidently very much puzzled. Withal, so much moved, from whatever cause, that her features were not quite under command and her answer was scarce intelligible.
'She's been a little weakish, or so,' said her father, 'She don't complain much.'
'What's good for you?' said Dane.
'It is good for her to be out,' said Prim. 'But you know we can't much in this weather. Arthur drives her out sometimes; but Prue don't like his driving so fast. Do all doctors drive fast? Why can't they go like other people?'