ement just to make him free. The--the other
woman, she, too, has--has left him----"

"So that," he summed up, "if in those first instants of returning to
the world you could read his choice you'd be relieved of doubts for
the future."

Having made one or two small professional recommendations he was about
to go when Barbara's mind worked to another point. "You know, he's
been very excitable."

"So I've understood. I go a good deal to the Chancellors'. You know
them, of course. I've heard about him there."

"Well, then, if he got better, is there anything we could do about
that?"

"In a general way, yes. If you're gentle with him----"

"Oh, I am."

"And if you try to smooth him down when you see him beginning to be
ruffled----"

"That's just what I do, only it seems to excite him the more."

"Then, in that case, I should say, break the conversation off. Go away
from him. Let him alone. Let him work out of it. Begin again later."

"Ye-es, only--" she was wistful, unconvinced--"only later it's so
likely to be the same thing over again."

He dodged the further issue by running up to explain to the nurse Miss
Walbrook's position in the house, and as helper in case of necessity.
By the time he had come down again Barbara's anguish was visible. "Oh,
doctor, you think he _will_ get better, don't you?"

He was at the front door. "I hope he will. Quite--quite possibly he
will. His pulse isn't very strong as yet, but--Well, Dr. Brace and Dr.
Wisdom are coming for another consultation this afternoon; only his
condition, you understand, is--well, serious."

Barbara divined the malice beneath Steptoe's indications, as he
conducted her upstairs. "That was the lyte Mrs. Allerton's room;
that's the front spare room; and that's our present madam's room--when
she's 'ere--heach with its barth. I'm sure if Miss Walbrook was
inclined to use the front spare room I'd be entirely welcome, and
'ave put in clean towels, and everythink, a-purpose."

When Rash's door was pointed out to her she tapped. Miss Gallifer
opened it, receiving her colleague with a great big hearty smile.
Great, big, and hearty were the traits by which Miss Gallifer was
known among the doctors. Healthy, skilful, jolly, and offhand, she
carried the issues of life and death, in which she was at home, with a
lightness which made her easy to work with. Some nurses would have
resented the intrusion of an outsider--professionally speaking--like
Miss Walbrook; b