ll her money hastily into her bag and rejoined Julia.
They went out, walked to the end of the road and boarded a car, but it
was Julia who paid the fares while Marie sat dreaming beside her. It
was not far to the doctor's door.

Marie did not know how to begin, but found the way in which doctors
helped one was wonderful. In three minutes he had the story, and was
twinkling at her with cheery interest, though as far as he was
concerned it was the oldest, ordinariest story in the world, which
invariably ended by calling him out of bed in the middle of some wet
night, after a day of particular worry.

He asked her all about herself, where she lived, if she got up early,
if she was busy, if she frivolled, and arrived at a mental summary of
her circumstances. The circumstances were as old and ordinary as the
story, but her pretty face and wavy hair, her childish form and dainty
clothes, made him wish for a moment that she could have kept out of
the struggle.

He could not say to her: "Well, if you feel very tired and faint in
the mornings, breakfast in bed; if you feel walking too much for you
at the moment, use your car; tempt your appetite; nourish yourself
well. And later, when the spring comes, we must tell your husband to
give you some nice week-ends at the sea." But, taking her hand and
patting it kindly, he substituted this: "Well, Mrs. Kerr, I'm glad to
hear that you've plenty to occupy yourself; it's a great thing to keep
busy, specially at these times. As a matter of fact, there's no finer
exercise than a little normal housework. And you must walk, too; that
walk to market in the mornings is just splendid. As for your appetite,
you must try not to get faddy; it's a woman's duty to keep up her
strength, you know. I congratulate you most heartily on the good news
I have just been able to give you."

"Thank you," said Marie, frightened but exultant, "and may I--what is
the fee?"

"Five shillings, please," he replied, after a slight pause.

Then Marie was out again in the waiting-room with Julia, to whom she
nodded mysteriously, and whose hand she squeezed. The doctor escorted
both girls to the door, and looked after them for a moment; but it was
an ordinary story, and the world must go round.

Julia and Marie walked all the way home, talking of what was going to
happen next September.

They sat for a long while on the hearthrug in the dining-room when
they reached home, talking about next September; and when