Part 15 (2/2)
”There was a man who left the Sisters' Hospital rather informally yesterday. I won't say he is not just as well off to-day as if he had stayed.”
”Who was it? Was it our man, father?”
”The doctor has more than one patient at the hospital.” Colonel Middleton looked reproachfully at the doctor, who continued to put aside as childish these clumsy subterfuges. ”I think you ladies frightened him away with your attentions. He knew he was under heavy liabilities for all your flowers and fancy cookery.”
”Attentions! Are we going to let him die on the road somewhere?” cried Moya.
”Miss Moya?” Lieutenant Winslow spoke up with a mixture of embarra.s.sment and resolution to be heard, though every voice in the room conspired against him. ”Those men are a big fraternity. They have their outfitting places where they put in for repairs. Packer John had his blankets sent to the Green Meadow corral. They know him there. They say he had money at one of the stores. They all have a little money cached here and there. And they _can't_ get lost, you know!”
Moya's eyes shone with a suspicious brightness.
”'When the forest shall mislead me; When the night and morning lie.'”
She turned her swimming eyes upon Paul's mother, who would be sure to remember the quotation.
Mrs. Bogardus remained perfectly still, her lips slightly parted. She grew very pale. Then she rose and walked quickly to the door.
”Just a breath of cold air!” she panted. The doctor, Moya, and Mrs.
Creve had followed her into the hall. Moya placed herself on the settle beside her and leaned to support her, but she sat back rigidly with her eyes closed. Mrs. Creve looked on in quiet concern. ”Let me take you into the study, Mrs. Bogardus!” the doctor commanded. ”A gla.s.s of water, Moya, please.”
”How is she? What is it? Can we do anything?” The company crowded around Mrs. Creve on her return to the drawing-room. She glanced at her brother. There was no clue there. He stood looking embarra.s.sed and mystified. ”It is only the warm welcome we give our friends,” she said aloud, smiling calmly. ”Mrs. Bogardus found the room too hot. I think I should have succ.u.mbed myself but for that little recess in the hall.”
The colonel attacked his fire. He thought he was being played with.
Things were not right in the house, and no one, not the doctor, or even Annie, was frank with him. His kind face flushed as he straightened up to bid his guests good-night.
”Well, if it's not anything serious, you think. But you'll be sure to let us know?” said Mrs. Dawson. ”Well, good-night, Mrs. Creve.
_Good_-night, Colonel! You'll say good-night to Moya? Do let us know if there is anything we can do.”
Dr. Fleming was in the hall looking for his cape. The colonel touched him on the shoulder. ”Don't be in a hurry, Doctor. Mrs. Dawson will excuse you.”
”I don't think you need me any more to-night. Moya is with Mrs.
Bogardus. She is not ill. The room was a little close.”
”Never mind the _room_! Come in here. I want a word with you.”
The doctor laughed oddly, and obeyed.
”Annie, you needn't leave us.”
”Why, thank you, dear boy! It's awfully good of you,” Annie mocked him.
”But I must go and relieve Moya.”
”I don't believe you are wanted in there,” said Doctor Fleming.
”It's more than obvious that I'm not in here.”
”Oh, do sit down,” said the teased colonel.
<script>