Page:George Weston--The apple-tree girl.djvu/164

 feeling heavy, out of all proportion to its size. Nor did it help her when Neil stopped talking and waited for her to speak.

"I—I had a letter from Aunt Hepzibah the other day," began Charlotte. "She wasn't feeling very well. I—I was wondering whether you'd come over to Marlin Mills and see her."

"Why, certainly," said the young physician, glancing at his engagement card. "Any hurry?"

"Well," hesitated Charlotte. "I was going back myself this afternoon. And I thought, perhaps"

"I see," he nodded. "We'll run right over as soon as I'm through here. Say, in half an hour—will that do? All right; I'll be ready."

Half an hour later she bravely returned to the doctor's. Neil must have seen her from the window.

"Do you mind waiting another ten minutes, Charlotte?" he asked, coming