He bowed awkwardly over the fat, white hand.
“Unfortunately, this visit is purely professional. Mrs. Petrovskey was taken ill quite unexpectedly, and Ito had the presence of mind to call me up.”
She simpered.
“Dear Ito. He’s quite invaluable, isn’t he? Poor Claire, so she is ill again? Quite a tissue-paper little person, I’m afraid. What is the matter this time?”
“She must have been over-tired when she came in. She fainted and was unconscious for at least half an hour. I have told her to remain in bed for several days and I’m sending a nurse. Not that I think it’s serious,” he added hastily. Claire wouldn’t want her mother-in-law to suspect anything. “But she needs a rest.”
“Another fainting fit? Surely, there must be something seriously wrong? Are you keeping anything from me?”
“She is very anæmic and her heart isn’t quite what it ought to be, perhaps.”
“Isn’t it? Dear me! So her heart is affected, you say? But surely you can cure it, can’t you, Doctor?”
The large face simpered childishly. He glared at her with undisguised dislike.
“Please take me seriously, Mme. Petrovskey. There is nothing comical about the situation.”