To John in the hall at the moment of departure he added, “Keep her perfectly quiet. On no pretext allow her to become excited, and if anything you don’t understand comes up, call me at once. I’ll look in again in the morning.” Nannie arranged a lounge in Lucy’s room and slept near her, getting up a dozen times to ask, “Do you want anything, dear?” Lucy, generally awakened by these queries, always answered, “No, thank you.” After midnight, however, Mrs. Merwent slept soundly, and Lucy attended to her own needs. XXVI It was late the next morning when Nannie awoke, and Lucy had already combed her own hair and arranged herself for the day. Dr. Hamilton came in before Mrs. Merwent was dressed and there was a scurrying when she ran to her own room as she heard him on the stairs. “You will be all right, now, Mrs. Winter,” he announced, after listening to her heart. “I advise you, however, to spend a few days in bed so as to insure against a repetition of this business. I won’t come any more unless you need me.” He turned to John, who stood by the bed. “You use your marital authority and make her keep still, Mr. Winter.” “All right, Doctor,” promised John. When John was ready to leave for the office he came in, hat in hand, and stood by Lucy’s bed. “Good-bye, Lucy. I’m going down town.” “Good-bye,” she answered listlessly. After looking at her a moment, he went out. He reached the office later than usual. “Anything wrong?” inquired Jim, looking up from his desk as John entered. “Lucy’s not very well.” John hung up his coat and stood by his desk, fitting a pen into a holder. Jim watched his face with growing anxiety. “She’s not seriously sick, is she?” Jim tried to control his voice but it was unsteady in spite of him. “I don’t know,” John answered, his eyes on what he was doing. Jim said no more, but he remained a long time eyeing the plan of a building before him, his pencil idle in his hand. After a time, he rose. “I’m going to dictate a letter to Miss Burns,” he remarked, referring to the public stenographer whose office was only a few doors down the hall. Jim went to Miss Burns’ room but, finding her occupied, paced the corridor for a quarter of an hour or more. When he finally went back to John his manner displayed none of the agitation which had been apparent while he was alone. “I’m going out to Rosedene with you tonight, if you don’t mind, John. I’m worried about what you say about Lucy,” he announced as he reseated himself and began to work. John hesitated perceptibly before he replied. “All right,” he conceded somewhat ungraciously. * * * * *