might do--Hilda, who made a
world of her own. But Emily's world was the world of womanly
graciousness and dignity--the world in which his daughter moved, the
world which had been his wife's. For her to have eaten alone with him
in his office in the middle of the night would have made her seem less
than he wanted her to be.

Before he went to bed, he called up Hilda. "I forgot to tell you when
you were here this afternoon that I asked young Drake about Bronson.
He says that it isn't possible that the old man is giving the General
anything against orders. You'd better watch the other servants and be
sure of the day nurse--"

"I am sure of her and of the other servants--but I still have my doubts
about Bronson."

"But Drake says--"

"I don't care what he says. Bronson served the General before he
served young Drake--and he's not to be trusted."

"I should be sorry to think so; he impresses me as a faithful old soul."

"Well, my eyes are rather clear, you know."

"Yes, I know. Good-night, Hilda."

She hung up the receiver. She had talked to him at the telephone in
the lower hall, which was enclosed, and where one might be confidential
without feeing overheard.

She sat very still for a few moments in the little booth, thinking;
then she rose and went upstairs.

The General was awake and eager.

"Shall I read to you?" Hilda asked.

"No, I'd rather talk."

She shaded the light and sat beside the little table. "Did you like
your dinner?"

"Yes. Bronson said you made the broth. It was delicious."

"I like to cook---when I like the people I cook for."

He basked in that.

"There are some patients--oh, I have wanted to salt their coffee and
pepper their cereal. You have no idea of the temptations which come to
a nurse."

"Are you fond of it--nursing?"

"Yes. It is nice in a place like this--and at Dr. McKenzie's. But
there are some houses that are awful, with everybody quarrelling, the
children squalling--. I hate that. I want to be comfortable. I like
your thick carpets here, and the quiet, and the good service. And the
good things to eat, and the little taste of wine that we take
together." Her low laugh delighted him.

"The wine? You are going to drink another glass with me before I go to
sleep."

"Yes. But it is our secret. Dr. McKenzie would kill me if he knew,
and a nurse must obey orders."

"He need never know. And it won't hurt me."

"Of course not. But he has ideas