"We are connected and when the doctor is out he expects me to be bell-boy," said Mary, recognizing the voice. "I see. Will you please tell the doctor when he comes that my little boy is sick this morning and I want him to come down. Will he be back soon?" "In a few minutes, I think." She sat down by the fire. No use to go back upstairs till she had delivered the message. This was a pleasing contrast to the other; Mr. Owen had volunteered his message as if she really had a right to know and deliver it. Ting-a-ling-ling-ling. Ting-a-ling-ling-ling. Mary felt reluctant to answer it--it sounded so like the first. And it was not the house call this time, but two rings which undeniably meant the office. But she must be true to the trust reposed in her. She went to the 'phone and softly taking down the receiver, listened; perhaps the doctor had got back and would answer it himself. Fervently she hoped so. But there was only silence at her ear, and the ever present far-off clack of attenuated voices. The silence seemed to bristle. But there was nothing for our listener to do but thrust herself into it. "Hello," she said, very gently. "O, I've got _you_ again, have I! I _know_ I rung the office this time, for I looked in the book to see. How does it happen I get the house?" Ill temper was manifest in every word. "The office and residence are connected," explained Mary, patiently, "and when the 'phone rings while the doctor is out, he asks me to answer it for him." "I don't see what good _that_ does." "It doesn't do any good when people do not care to leave a message," said Mary quietly. "Well, I'd ruther deliver my message to _him_." "Certainly. And I would much rather you would. I can at least say about what time he expects to return." "You said awhile ago he'd be back in half an hour and he's not back _yet_." The doctor's wife knew that she was held responsible for the delay. She smiled and glanced at the clock. "It is just three minutes past the half hour," she said. "Well, we're in an awful hurry for him. I'll ring agin d'reckly." In five minutes a ring came again. Surely he would be there now, thought his wife, but she must go to the 'phone. She listened. Silence. Then the bell pealed sharply forth again. She decided to change her tactics and put the other woman on the defensive: "Well!" she said impatiently, "I'm _very_ sorry to have to answer you again but--" "Is the doctor there?" asked a sweet, new voice. "Pardon me for interrupting you, but I'm very anxious." "He will be at the office in just a few minutes," Mary answered, very gently indeed. She realized now that one cannot "monkey" with the telephone. "Will you please tell him to come at once?" and she gave the street and number. "I shall send him at once." "Thank you, good-bye." Before Mary could seat herself, the expected ring came in earnest. She answered it meekly. "O, good gracious! hain't he got there yet--?" "Not yet," said Mary, offering nothing further.