here. Two or three of 'em, as far as that goes. He isn't
very big; he won't need more than one."

"But, Martha, I didn't know how you would feel about taking a strange
man into your house, at night, and--"

Miss Phipps interrupted him.

"Heavens and earth, doctor!" she exclaimed, "what DO you think I am? I'm
forty-one years old next August and I weigh--Well, I won't tell you
what I weigh, but I blush every time I see the scales. If you think I'm
afraid of a little, meek creature like the one in the sittin' room you
never made a bigger mistake. And there's Primmie to help me, in case I
need help, which I shan't. Besides he doesn't look as if he would run
off with the spoons, now does he?"

Doctor Powers laughed heartily. "Why, no, he doesn't," he admitted. "I
think you'll find him a quiet little chap."

"Yes. And he isn't able to half look after himself when he's well, to
say nothin' of when he's sick. Anybody--any woman, anyhow--could tell
that just by lookin' at him. And I've brought up a father, so I've had
experience. He'll stay right here in the spare bedroom to-night--yes,
and to-morrow night, too, if you think he'd better. Now don't talk any
more rubbish, but go in and tell him so."

Her hand was on the latch of the sitting room door when the doctor asked
one more question.

"Say, Martha," he asked, "this is not my business, but as a friend of
yours I--Tell me: Cap'n Jim--your father, I mean--didn't put more money
than he could spare in that Development scheme, did he? I mean you,
yourself, aren't--er--likely to be embarrassed in case--in case--"

Miss Phipps interrupted hastily, almost too hastily, so Doctor Powers
thought.

"No, no, of course not," she said.

"Truly, Martha? I'm only asking as a friend, you know."

"Why, of course. There now, doctor, don't you worry about me. You know
what father and I were to each other; is it likely he would leave me
in trouble of any kind? Now come in and see if Primmie has talked this
little sick man of ours into another faintin' fit."

Primmie had not, but the "little sick man" came, apparently, very near
to fainting when told that he was to occupy the Phipps' spare bedroom
overnight. Oh, he could not possibly do such a thing, really he couldn't
think of it! "Dear me, Miss Phipps, I--"

Miss Phipps paid absolutely no heed to his protests. Neither did the
doctor, who was giving her directions concerning some tablets. "One to
be taken now and another in the m