as he drew
on his gloves.

"You are much better," he said cheerfully.

"Oh, you think so, do you? Well, I don't."

"Yes, I think so. I should like to prescribe you change of scene, Mr.
Waldron."

"Want to be rid of me, I suppose. Well, I'm not going!"

"Change of thought might do equally well."

"I'm likely to get it, chained here by the leg, ain't I?"

"Well, change of thought comes by association, and is quite available;
in fact, at the present moment I have in my carriage a small person who
has given me much change of thought this morning."

"I can't see what good your change of thought will do me!" growled Mr.
Waldron.

Dr. Norman regarded him speculatively.

"I wonder if you would do me a favour. I have rather a serious case on
the other side of the square, will take me about half an hour; might I
leave my small friend here for that time?"

"What! in this room?"

"Why not?"

"Nonsense! You don't mean to bring a child in here!"

"Again I say, why not? She will amuse and interest you."

"Well, of all the----"

"Don't excite yourself, Mr. Waldron. You know how bad that is for you."

"You are giving me some change of thought with a vengeance, doctor! Why
should you bring a nasty brat to disturb me?"

[Sidenote: Some Amusement]

"I only offered you some amusement----"

"Amusement be hanged! You know I hate children."

"I know you say so."

Mr. Waldron growled.

"She is not so very small," went on the doctor--"about seven or eight, I
think."

"Humph! Young enough to be a nuisance! A girl, eh?"

"Yes."

"Girls are not so bad as boys," he admitted.

"No, so some people think--good-morning." Dr. Norman went towards the
door.

"A girl, you say?" growled old Mr. Waldron again.

"Yes; good-morning."

"I say, don't be in such a hurry!"

"I really cannot stay longer at present; goodbye."

Dr. Norman opened the door and stood within it. Old Mr. Waldron fidgeted
in his chair, muttering--

"Horrid child! Hate children! Perfect nuisance!"

The doctor partly closed the door.

"I say, have you gone?" cried the old man, glancing round. "Dr. Norman,"
he called suddenly, "you can bring that brat in if it will be any
pleasure to you, and if you find me dead in half an hour my death will
lie at your door!"

The doctor at once accepted this grudging concession, and hastening to
the carriage, brought Sophy back in his arms.

"What the----" called out old Mr. Waldron when he saw the child. "