Page:Round the Red Lamp.djvu/109

 sprang up with his hair bristling, thinking that some dreadful thing had occurred, but it was only his mother-in-law, incoherent with excitement and searching for scissors and some tape. She vanished again and Jane passed up the stairs with a pile of newly aired linen. Then, after an interval of silence, Johnson heard the heavy, creaking tread and the doctor came down into the parlour.

'That's better,' said he, pausing with his hand upon the door. 'You look pale, Mr. Johnson.'

'Oh no, sir, not at all,' he answered deprecatingly, mopping his brow with his handkerchief.

'There is no immediate cause for alarm,' said Dr. Miles. 'The case is not all that we could wish it. Still we will hope for the best.'

'Is there danger, sir?' gasped Johnson.

'Well, there is always danger, of course. It is not altogether a favourable case, but still it might be much worse. I have given her a draught. I saw as I passed that they have been doing a little building opposite to you. It's an improving quarter. The rents go higher and higher. You have a lease of your own little place, eh?'