When Ethel, five minutes later, came downstairs, she found the doctor waiting in the hall, while several people--nurses, patients, etc.--were trying to get a word with him. But he waved them off, shaking his head and shutting his eyes, with a smile of obstinate dismissal of their claims. “I am off duty now,” he said; “all these things must wait, or you must go to the other doctors. Come, Miss Duncan,” and he led the way down the long hall. As he opened the door for Ethel to go out, she saw, drawn up before the pavement, a handsome drag, with a pair of superb horses, glittering with their heavy harnesses, and with a groom in top-boots standing at their heads. As she was helped into this imposing equipage, which was as far removed from anything in her former experience as the coach and six was from Cinderella’s, the doctor gathered up the reins, while the groom sprang into his place behind, and they started off over the noisy cobblestones at a swinging pace. Very soon, however, they had left the city streets behind, and were bowling along at ease over the smooth roads of the beautiful park. And then what delightful talk they had! How her companion drew her out, and provoked her to charming and spontaneous chatter! She was a rather countrified little creature, in spite of her beauty, and perhaps some of the fashionable people, who bowed to Dr. Hubert in passing, wondered at the shape of her little black hat, and the cut of her dark cloth jacket. If they did, she never suspected it; and if her companion did, it must have troubled him very little, for he had a gleam of positive exultation in his eyes. It was a memorable drive to them both, and there was such a feeling of spontaneous freedom and confidence in the girl’s heart, that, when she got back to Bobby at last, she felt as if she had really known this charming, friendly doctor the whole of her natural life. “And so you have!” he said to her, next day, when, having sent for her to come to his office, she had made this same remark to him. “I really believe we have known each other always. It only remained for us to meet in bodily presence. But what I sent for you to-day was, to tell you that I had leisure now to listen to what you said you had to tell me about your future plans. I checked you then, but now I want to hear what it is. Tell me.” “I only wanted to remind you that I must go away very soon,” she began. “You can’t go; Bobby needs you,” said the doctor, decidedly. “I know it. I don’t see what I am to do. I can go back and send a little money from my salary for his weekly board, but that seems almost preposterous.” “The idea of your leaving seems preposterous,” he said. “I really can’t let you go. The school must go to the wall.” “Oh! how can you talk so?” she said. “It’s the first time that you have seemed uncomprehending.” “I am not uncomprehending,” he said; “I am only thinking hard how I can make you comprehend.” “Comprehend what?” she said.