Part 31 (2/2)
In a few days the doctor called again at Dalmatian Buildings, and carried Sophy off in his carriage, the child all excitement at the change and novelty.
After a short drive Dr. Norman said, ”Now, Sophy, I have a rather serious case on hand, and I am going to leave you for a little at a friend's, and call for you again later. You won't mind?”
”I think not. I shall be better able to tell you after I have been.”
The doctor laughed.
”You see,” went on Sophy, with a wise nod of her little head, ”you can't tell how you will like things until you try them--now, can you?”
”No, certainly not. So you can tell me how you get on as I drive you home.”
”Is this your serious case or mine?” asked Sophy anxiously, as the carriage drew up at a large house in a West-End square.
”This is where I hope to leave you,” returned the doctor, smiling. ”But you must wait until I find if it be convenient for me to do so.”
Dr. Norman was shown into the library, where by the fire in an arm-chair sat an old man, one foot supported on a stool before him. His face was drawn and pinched, and his temper none of the sweetest, to judge by the curt response he made to the doctor's greeting.
”You are late this morning,” was his sole remark.
”I may be slightly--but you are fast becoming independent of my care.”
An unamiable grunt was the old man's reply.
When a few medical questions had been put and answered, Dr. Norman placed himself on the hearthrug, looking down at his patient as he drew on his gloves.
”You are much better,” he said cheerfully.
”Oh, you think so, do you? Well, I don't.”
”Yes, I think so. I should like to prescribe you change of scene, Mr.
Waldron.”
”Want to be rid of me, I suppose. Well, I'm not going!”
”Change of thought might do equally well.”
”I'm likely to get it, chained here by the leg, ain't I?”
”Well, change of thought comes by a.s.sociation, and is quite available; in fact, at the present moment I have in my carriage a small person who has given me much change of thought this morning.”
”I can't see what good your change of thought will do me!” growled Mr.
Waldron.
Dr. Norman regarded him speculatively.
”I wonder if you would do me a favour. I have rather a serious case on the other side of the square, will take me about half an hour; might I leave my small friend here for that time?”
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