'Neurotic heart,' answered Edith. Though she tried her very utmost she could not help the tone of her voice sounding a little dry and ironical. Of course, she did not in the least believe in Bruce's neurotic heart, but she did not want Madame Frabelle to know that. 'Ah! ah! that must cause him a great deal of pain, but I think so far his worst symptoms are his nervous fears. Look at last night,' continued Madame Frabelle, and now she put down her knitting and folded it into her work-basket.' Last night, because there was no moon, and it wasn't raining, and fairly clear, Mr Ott--Bruce had absolutely made up his mind there would be a Zeppelin raid. It was his own idea.' 'Not quite, dear. Young Coniston, who is a special constable, rang up and told him that there was a chance of the Zeppelins last night.' 'Well, perhaps so. At any rate he believed it. Well, instead of being satisfied when I told him that I had got out my mask, that I saw to the bath being left half-filled with water, helped your husband to put two large bags of sand outside his dressing-room--in spite of all that, do you know what happened in the middle of the night?' 'I'm afraid I don't,' said Edith. 'Since Archie went back to school I have had Dilly in my room, and we both slept soundly all night.' 'Did you? I fancied I saw a light in your room.' This was quite true. Edith was writing a very long letter. 'Ah, perhaps.' 'Well, at three o'clock in the morning, fancy my surprise to hear a knock at my door!' 'I wonder I didn't hear a knock at mine,' said Edith. 'Your husband was afraid to disturb the little girl. Most considerate, I thought. Well, he knocked at my door and said that he was unable to sleep, that he felt terribly miserable and melancholy, in fact was wretched, and that he felt on the point of cutting his throat.... Don't be frightened, dear. I don't mean that he really _meant_ it,' said Madame Frabelle, putting her hand on Edith's. 'Poor fellow! But what a shame to disturb you.' 'I didn't mind in the least. I was only too pleased. Well, what do you think I did? I got up and dressed, went down to the library and lighted the fire, and sat up for half-an-hour with your husband trying to cheer him up!' 'Did you really?' Edith smiled. 'It was very sweet of you, Eglantine.' 'Not at all; I was only too glad. I made a cup of tea, Bruce had a whisky and soda, we had a nice talk, and I sent him back quite cheerful. Still, it just shows, doesn't it, how terribly he takes it all?' 'Rather hard on you, Eglantine; quite improper too,' laughed Edith as she rang the bell. Madame Frabelle ignored this remark. 'If I could only feel at all that I've done a little good during my stay here, I shall be quite satisfied.' 'Oh! but you mustn't dream yet of--' began Edith. There was a ring at the bell. 'Why, here is Bruce, just in time for tea.'