'Why not? What a question! Because it would be a terrible fatigue for me. I shouldn't be able to stand it. In fact I'm not sure that I ought to see Raggett at all.' 'Don't, then. Leave a message to say that after all you didn't feel strong enough.' 'But, if we do that, won't he think it rather a shame, poor chap? As I said he could come, doesn't it seem rather hard lines for him to come all this way--it is a long distance, mind you--and then see nobody?' 'Well, I can see him.' Bruce looked up suspiciously. 'Oh, you want to see him, do you? Alone?' 'Don't be silly, Bruce. I would much rather not see him.' 'Indeed, and why not? I really believe you look down on him because he's my friend.' 'Not a bit. Well, he won't be angry; you can say that you had a relapse, or something, and were not well enough to see him.' 'Nothing of the sort. It would be very good for me; a splendid change to have a little intellectual talk with a man of the world. I've had too much women's society lately. I'm sick of it. Ring the bell, Edith.' 'Of course I will, Bruce, but what for? Is it anything I can do?' 'I want you to ring for Bennett to pass me my tonic.' 'Really, Bruce, it's at your elbow.' She laughed. 'I suppose I've changed a good deal since my illness,' said he looking in the glass with some complacency. 'You don't look at all bad, dear.' 'I know I'm better; but sometimes, just as people are recovering, they suddenly have a frightful relapse. Braithwaite told me I would have to be careful for some time.' 'How long do you suppose he meant?' 'I don't know--five or six years, I suppose. It's the heart. That's what's so risky in influenza.' 'But he said your heart was all right.' 'Ah, so he thinks. Doctors don't know everything. Or perhaps it's what he says. It would never do to tell a heart patient he was in immediate danger, Edith; why, he might die on the spot from the shock.' 'Yes, dear; but, excuse my saying so, would he have taken me aside and told me you were perfectly well, and that he wouldn't come to see you again, if you were really in a dangerous state?' 'Very possibly. I don't know that I've so very much confidence in Braithwaite. I practically told him so. At least I suggested to him, when he seemed so confident about my recovery, that he should have a consultation. I thought it only fair to give him every chance.' 'And what did he say?' 'He didn't seem to see it. Just go and get the cards, Edith, that have been left during my illness. It's the right thing for me to write to everyone, and thank them for their kindness.' 'But there are no cards, dear.' 'No cards?' 'You see, people who knew you were ill inquired by telephone, except your mother, and she never leaves a card.' He seemed very disgusted.