“How’d she hear about it?” Tom demanded when he was prevented from answering the call in person.
“Why, it seems,” reported the housekeeper, “that the town fire-department responded to the alarm. However, they weren’t needed, as your own men put out the blaze, Mr. Swift. However, it was rumored that you were hurt and Mary heard of it. What shall I tell her?”
“Tell her I’m all right and that I’ll be over as soon as I can get dressed,” Tom answered.
“No you won’t!” chuckled Dr. Layton. “You’re not badly hurt, but I’m taking no chances with you and you’ll stay in bed all day. Miss Nestor can call here if she likes,” he conceded, with a smile.
“Thanks for that favor,” and Tom smiled in answer. “Tell her, please, Mrs. Baggert.”
“I will,” and the housekeeper hurried back to the telephone.
A further inspection of Tom’s injuries by daylight did not reveal them as any worse than the first diagnosis indicated and Dr. Layton said that his patient would be up and about in a few days.
“And when I am things are going to hum!” declared Tom.
He had finished a light breakfast and the medical man was preparing to depart when the telephone rang again.
“If that’s Mary I’m going to speak to her!” exclaimed Tom.