"Very well, mum," replied the man, pleased with his tip, who then retired.
Then, turning to Gerald, she said:
"You'll stay a few minutes, won't you? I'll telephone to the doctor." This she did, the telephone being out in the hall, and while he sat with Miss Mayne in the small drawing-room, he heard her sister in conversation with Doctor Trueman.
"He'll be here in about a quarter of an hour!" she exclaimed, as she re-entered the room. "How fortunate, dear, to find him in!"
"Yes. I—— Oh! I do hope he'll give me something to dull this terrible pain'" replied the other.
"No doubt he will," said Gerald encouragingly. "It is too bad of people to throw fruit peel about the pavements. I've had more than one narrow escape from falling myself."
"It's positively criminal!" declared Mrs. Evans, with warmth. "Of course you'll stop now, and see what he says. Mr. Durrant," she went on, "I'm only too happy to have been of service to you."
"You'll have something?" she suggested. "I'm just going to get my sister a little brandy, and I'll get you a whisky and soda."
"No, thanks—all the same," Gerald replied. "The fact is I never drink whisky."
"Then a glass of port wine," she laughed gaily. "You won't refuse that—have it, to please me, won't you?"