parlor with a perplexed and disappointed look on
his face.

"The Doc said she'd sure want some tea," he said.

"And you made the tea yourself?" inquired Mandy.

"Sure thing! The Doc--"

"Well, Billy, I'd just love a cup of tea if you don't mind wasting it on
me."

"Sure thing, ma'm! The Doc won't mind, bein' as she turned it down."

"Where is Dr. Martin gone, Billy? He needs a cup of tea; he's been up
all night. He must be feeling tough."

"Judgin' by his langwidge I should surmise yes," said Billy judicially.

"Would you get him, Billy, and bring him here?"

"Get him? S'pose I could. But as to bringin' him here, I'd prefer wild
cats myself. The last I seen of him he was hikin' for the Rockies with a
blue haze round his hair."

"But what in the world is wrong with him, Billy?" said Mandy anxiously.
"I've never seen him this way."

"No, nor me," said Billy. "The Doc's a pretty level headed cuss. There's
somethin' workin' on him, if you ask me."

"Billy, you get him and tell him we want to see him at breakfast, will
you?"

Billy shook his head.

"Tell him, Billy, I want him to see my husband then."

"Sure thing! That'll catch him, I guess. He's dead stuck on his work."

And it did catch him, for, after breakfast was over, clean-shaven, calm
and controlled, and in his very best professional style, Dr. Martin made
his morning call on his patient. Rigidly he eliminated from his manner
anything beyond a severe professional interest. Mandy, who for two years
had served with him as nurse, and who thought she knew his every mood,
was much perplexed. Do what she could, she was unable to break through
the barrier of his professional reserve. He was kindly courteous and
perfectly correct.

"I would suggest a quiet day for him, Mrs. Cameron," was his verdict
after examining the patient. "He will be quite able to get up in the
afternoon and go about, but not to set off on a hundred and fifty mile
drive. A quiet day, sleep, cheerful company, such as you can furnish
here, will fix him up."

"Doctor, we will secure the quiet day if you will furnish the cheerful
company," said Mandy, beaming on him.

"I have a very busy day before me, and as for cheerful company, with you
two ladies he will have all the company that is good for him."

"CHEERFUL company, you said, Doctor. If you desert us how can we be
cheerful?"

"Exactly for that reason," replied the doctor.

"Say, Martin," interposed Cameron, "take them ou