sent for him. But how like Henry Ocock," she went on with
puckered brow. "It's quite insulting--after the trouble Richard has put
himself to. If Agnes's case puzzles him, I should like to know who will
understand it better. I think I'll go and see her myself this
afternoon. It can't be HER wish to call in a stranger."

Not till some time after did she remember her own private
embarrassment. And, by then, the incident had taken its proper place in
her mind--had sunk to the level of insignificance to which it belonged.

"Such a piece of nonsense!" was her final verdict. "As if I could worry
Richard with it, when he has so many really important things to occupy
him."

Chapter V

Yes, those were palmy days; the rate at which the practice spread
astonished even himself. No slack seasons for him now; winter saw him
as busy as summer; and his chief ground for complaint was that he was
unable to devote the meticulous attention he would have wished to each
individual case. "It would need the strength of an elephant to do
that." But it was impossible not to feel gratified by the many marks of
confidence he received. And if his work had but left him some leisure
for study and an occasional holiday, he would have been content. But in
these years he was never able to get his neck out of the yoke; and Mary
took her annual jaunts to Melbourne and sea-breezes alone.

In a long talk they had with each other, it was agreed that, except in
an emergency, he was to be chary of entering into fresh
engagements--this referred in the first place to confinements, of which
his book was always full; and secondly, to outlying bush-cases, the
journey to and from which wasted many a precious hour. And where it
would have been impolitic to refuse a new and influential patient, some
one on his list--a doubtful payer or a valetudinarian--was gently to be
let drop. And it was Mary who arranged who this should be. Some umbrage
was bound to be given in the process; but with her help it was reduced
to a minimum. For Mary knew by heart all the links and ramifications of
the houses at which he visited; knew precisely who was related to whom,
by blood or marriage or business; knew where offence might with safety
be risked, and where it would do him harm. She had also a woman's tact
in smoothing things over. A born doctor's wife, declared Mahony in
grateful acknowledgment. For himself he could not keep such fiddling
details in his head for two minute