Something of the supposition was so evident in her manner that the doctor added hastily: "But I mustn't take up your time. Only I've just come from Plessing, and Lady Vivian asked me herself to come in here for a moment and--and tell you--ask you, you know--just suggest--only throw it out as a suggestion, since no doubt you've thought of it for yourself--" The doctor fell into a fine confusion, and looked imploringly at Char. "Is my father worse?" "No. I didn't mean to frighten you, Miss Vivian; I'm so sorry. He's not worse, though, as you know, he's not gaining ground as we'd hoped, and of course he's not getting any younger. But the fact is, that he's set his heart on your being home for Christmas." Char drew her brows together. "Of course, I can arrange to spend a couple of nights there if he wishes it. But my mother laid great emphasis on the fact that she did not wish there to be any going backwards and forwards between the office and Plessing, as you doubtless remember." "My dear young lady, where Sir Piers's wishes are concerned, she has no will but his. You don't need _me_ to tell you that." "Of course," said Char musingly, "he has old-fashioned ideas as to one's spending Christmas at home." "Yes," said the doctor, "that's it. That was our generation, though I'm twenty years younger than your father, Miss Vivian. But early Victorians I suppose you'd call us both. He can't understand your not being at home, all together, for Christmas-time. We can't disguise from ourselves that his mind is a little--a very little--clouded, and he doesn't rightly understand your absence." "I can't go over that ground again," Char told him frigidly. "I was in an exceedingly painful position, and had to choose between my home and what I conceived to be my duty. As you know, I put my country's need before any personal question just now." "Yes, yes," said the doctor, obviously determined to stifle recollections of his Hospital in its pre-Vivian days. "I--I see your point, you know. But Sir Piers hears very little of the war nowadays, and I don't think he connects your absence with that now." "What does he suppose, then?" Char asked sharply. "Miss Vivian, his mind is clouded. We can't deny that his mind is clouded. I believe," said the doctor pitifully, "that he just thinks you are away because Plessing is so dull and quiet. Lady Vivian promised him that you were coming back for Christmas, and it pleased him." "It is most unjust to me that the facts have not been explained to him." "But you remember," the doctor reminded her gently, "that they _were_ explained to him before he got ill. And he wanted you to stay at home, you know." Char was silent. "Well," said the doctor at length, "Lady Vivian suggested that I should drive you out on Christmas Eve. I shall be going to Plessing then--next Thursday."