r, smiling and showing all his
beautiful teeth, just about tea-time.

"May I come in?" His voice sounded almost flirty.

"Certainly."

"I see you're having tea! Very nice, a cup of tea at this hour!"

"Have one too, doctor."

"I will with pleasure." And he sat down wreathed with smiles. Alvina
rose to get a cup. "I didn't intend to disturb you, nurse," he said.
"Men are always intruders," he smiled to the matron.

"Sometimes," said the matron, "women are charmed to be intruded
upon."

"Oh really!" his eyes sparkled. "Perhaps _you_ wouldn't say so,
nurse?" he said, turning to Alvina. Alvina was just reaching at the
cupboard. Very charming she looked, in her fresh dress and cap and
soft brown hair, very attractive her figure, with its full, soft
loins. She turned round to him.

"Oh yes," she said. "I quite agree with the matron."

"Oh, you do!" He did not quite know how to take it. "But you mind
being disturbed at your tea, I am sure."

"No," said Alvina. "We are so used to being disturbed."

"Rather weak, doctor?" said the matron, pouring the tea.

"Very weak, please."

The doctor was a little laboured in his gallantry, but unmistakably
gallant. When he was gone, the matron looked demure, and Alvina
confused. Each waited for the other to speak.

"Don't you think Dr. Mitchell is quite coming out?" said Alvina.

"Quite! _Quite_ the ladies' man! I wonder who it is can be
_bringing_ him out. A very praiseworthy work, I am sure." She looked
wickedly at Alvina.

"No, don't look at me," laughed Alvina, "_I_ know nothing about it."

"Do you think it may be _me_!" said the matron, mischievous.

"I'm sure of it, matron! He begins to show some taste at last."

"There now!" said the matron. "I shall put my cap straight." And she
went to the mirror, fluffing her hair and settling her cap.

"There!" she said, bobbing a little curtsey to Alvina.

They both laughed, and went off to work.

But there was no mistake, Dr. Mitchell was beginning to expand. With
Alvina he quite unbent, and seemed even to sun himself when she was
near, to attract her attention. He smiled and smirked and became
oddly self-conscious: rather uncomfortable. He liked to hang over
her chair, and he made a great event of offering her a cigarette
whenever they met, although he himself never smoked. He had a gold
cigarette case.

One day he asked her in to see his garden. He had a pleasant old
square house with a big walled garden. He show