sing the manager. They are a
feckless couple.'

'Well. What's on your mind?'

'This; and I know it's a grave thing to ask.

Would you seriously object to my bringing the child over here, with its
mother?'

'On the most strict understanding that we see nothing of the Dancing
Master.'

'He will be only too glad to stay away. Polly, you're an angel. The
woman really is at her wits' end.'

'And you know nothing about her, careless, and would hold her up to
public scorn if it gave you a minute's amusement. Therefore you risk
your life for the sake of her brat. No, Loo, I'm not the angel. I shall
keep to my rooms and avoid her. But do as you please only tell me why
you do it.'

Mrs. Hauksbee's eyes softened; she looked out of the window and back
into Mrs. Mallowe's face.

'I don't know,' said Mrs. Hauksbee simply.

'You dear!'

'Polly! and for aught you knew you might have taken my fringe off. Never
do that again without warning. Now we'll get the rooms ready. I don't
suppose I shall be allowed to circulate in society for a month.'

'And I also. Thank goodness I shall at last get all the sleep I want.'

Much to Mrs. Bent's surprise she and the baby were brought over to
the house almost before she knew where she was. Bent was devoutly and
undisguisedly thankful, for he was afraid of the infection, and also
hoped that a few weeks in the hotel alone with Mrs. Delville might lead
to explanations. Mrs. Bent had thrown her jealousy to the winds in her
fear for her child's life.

'We can give you good milk,' said Mrs. Hauksbee to her, 'and our house
is much nearer to the Doctor's than the hotel, and you won't feel as
though you were living in a hostile camp. Where is the dear Mrs. Waddy?
She seemed to be a particular friend of yours.'

'They've all left me,' said Mrs. Bent bitterly. 'Mrs. Waddy went first.
She said I ought to be ashamed of myself for introducing diseases there,
and I am sure it wasn't my fault that little Dora--'

'How nice!' cooed Mrs. Hauksbee. 'The Waddy is an infectious disease
herself "more quickly caught than the plague and the taker runs
presently mad." I lived next door to her at the Elysium, three years
ago. Now see, you won't give us the least trouble, and I've ornamented
all the house with sheets soaked in carbolic. It smells comforting,
doesn't it? Remember I'm always in call, and my ayah's at your service
when yours goes to her meals, and and if you cry I'll never forgive
you.'

D