“He won’t keep a promise of that sort,” said Miss Ley.
“Oh, won’t he!” cried the doctor. “I’ve known him all his life, and he’d rather die than break his word.”
“Poor fellow!” said Miss Glover, “it must have pained him terribly.”
“He bore it like a man.”
Miss Ley pursed her lips till they practically disappeared. “And when is he supposed to carry out your ridiculous suggestion, Dr. Ramsay?” she asked.
“He told me he was lunching here to-day, and would take the opportunity to ask Bertha for his release.”
“The man’s a fool!” muttered Miss Ley to herself, but quite audibly.
“I think it’s very noble of him,” said Miss Glover, “and I shall make a point of telling him so.”
“I wasn’t thinking of Mr. Craddock,” snapped Miss Ley.
Miss Glover looked at Dr. Ramsay to see how he took the rudeness; but at that moment the door was opened and Bertha walked in. Miss Ley caught her mood at a glance. Bertha was evidently not at all distressed; there were no signs of tears, but her cheeks showed more colour than usual, and her lips were firmly compressed; Miss Ley concluded that her niece was in a very pretty passion. However, she drove away the appearance of anger, and her face was full of smiles as she greeted her visitors.