Page:The Rejuvenation Of Miss Semaphore.pdf/185

 "Oh! I don't believe it has anything to do with her sister," said Mrs. Dumaresq, offended. "Why, she went off in a dead faint last night when no one was speaking of her sister. I thought at the time it was something in that case Major Jones was reading out that affected her."

"About the baby farming woman?" asked the medical woman. "Why, what earthly effect could that have on her? She could have nothing to do with that."

"I confess," said Mrs. Dumaresq, "I don't see exactly how it could, but I'm persuaded there is some connection between the two. Did you notice her face when he began to read? No? Well, I did, and I never saw horror more plainly depicted on a human countenance. I have been thinking matters over, and putting two and two together. Do you remember the extraordinary tipsy woman that called before dinner on Tuesday? I am certain I heard her say something about a cheque and bringing back a baby. I happened to be going upstairs at the moment, as you may recollect, and stopped on the landing to tie my shoe string."

"Oh, that's absurd on the face of it," said the medical woman. "Miss Semaphore is