"I don't suppose I shall be more than a couple of days. It just depends whether the operation is a success."
"Well, consider that settled," said Colin. "It won't interfere with my plans in the least; in fact, I shall be only too glad to have something else to think about."
Mark got up from the sofa, and, crossing the rug, held out his hand.
"Put it there, my son," he said gratefully. "You're a good pal, and the family thanks you."
Colin laughed. "You'd better wait till you come back," he replied. "You'll probably find that I've cured half your patients."
"I don't care a hang about what you do with them," said Mark callously. He turned toward Nancy. "I shall leave you in charge of each other," he added. "You must keep Colin posted in his job, and he must look after you and try to make himself agreeable." He paused, and added chaffingly, "I don't know whether Major Fenton will approve of the arrangement, but I'm afraid we've hardly time to consult him."
There was a brief but pregnant silence.
"Major Fenton?" repeated Colin blankly.
Mark chuckled. "You've met him, haven't you? A kind of adopted uncle of Nancy's. He rolled up here quite unexpectedly about half-past twelve this morning. I suppose he really came to see whether the place was respectable or not, and on the whole I think we managed to set his mind at rest. Anyhow, he made himself extremely pleasant, so of course I asked him to stop to lunch."
Colin flashed a quick glance at Nancy, who was looking distinctly uncomfortable.