'That's it,' he said. 'That's just like life; "laugh, and the world laughs with you; weep, and you weep alone!" Get out of the running, and drop aside, and you're forgotten. And I'm a fairly popular man, too; yet I might have died like a dog in this wretched little flat, and not a card.--What's that ring?' 'It must be your mother.' Bruce leant back on the sofa in a feeble attitude, gave Edith directions to pull the blinds a little way down, and had a vase of roses placed by his side. Then his mother was shown in. 'Well, how is the interesting invalid? Dear boy, how well you look! How perfectly splendid you look!' 'Hush, Mother,' said Bruce, with a faint smile, and in a very low voice. 'Sit down, and be a little quiet. Yes, I'm much better, and getting on well; but I can't stand much yet.' 'Dear, dear! And what did the doctor say?' she asked Edith. 'He won't come any more,' said Edith. 'Isn't he afraid you will be rushing out to the office too soon-- over-working? Oh well, Edith will see that you take care of yourself. Where's little Archie?' 'Go and see him in the nursery,' said Bruce, almost in a whisper. 'I can't stand a lot of people in here.' 'Archie's out,' said Edith. There was another ring. 'That's how it goes on all day long,' said Bruce. 'I don't know how it's got about, I'm sure. People never cease calling! It's an infernal nuisance.' 'Well, it's nice to know you're not neglected,' said his mother. 'Neglected? Why, it's been more like a crowded reception than an invalid's room.' 'It's Mr Raggett,' said Edith; 'I heard his voice. Will you see him or not, dear?' 'Yes. Presently. Take him in the other room, and when the mater goes he can come in here.' 'I'm going now,' said Mrs Ottley; 'you mustn't have a crowd. But really, Bruce, you're better than you think.' 'Ah, I'm glad you think so. I should hate you to be anxious.' 'Your father wanted to know when you would be able to go to the office again.' 'That entirely depends. I may be strong enough in a week or two, but I promised Braithwaite not to be rash for Edith's sake. Well, good-bye, Mother, if you must go.' She kissed him, left a box of soldiers for Archie and murmured to Edith-- 'What an angel Bruce is! So patient and brave. Perfectly well, of course. He has been for a week. He'll go on thinking himself ill for a year--the dear pet, the image of his father! If I were you, Edith, I think I should get ill too; it will be the only way to get him out. What a perfect wife you are!' 'I should like to go back with you a little,' said Edith. 'Well, can't you? I'm going to Harrod's, of course. I'm always going to Harrod's; it's the only place I ever do go. As Bruce has a friend he'll let you go.' Bruce made no objection. Edith regarded it as a treat to go out with her mother-in-law. The only person who seemed to dislike the arrangement was Mr Raggett. When he found he was to be left alone with Bruce, he seemed on the point of bursting into tears. CHAPTER XXIV