Page:The Other House (London, William Heinemann, 1896), Volume 1.djvu/59

Rh "Hush!" said the girl soothingly: "we mustn't curse our relations before the Doctor!" Doctor Ramage had come back from his patient, and she mentioned to him that the medicine for which she had gone out would immediately be delivered.

"Many thanks," he replied: "I'll pick it up myself. I must run out—to another case." Then with a friendly hand to Tony and a nod at the room he had quitted: "Things are quiet."

Tony, gratefully grasping his hand, detained him by it. "And what was that loud ring that called you?"

"A stupid flurry of Nurse. I was ashamed of her."

"Then why did you stay so long?"

"To have it out with your wife. She wants you again."

Tony eagerly dropped his hand. "Then I go!"

The Doctor raised his liberated member. "In a quarter of an hour—not before. I'm most reluctant, but I allow her five minutes."

"It may make her easier afterwards," Rose observed.