Part 32 (1/2)
”What! in this room?”
”Why not?”
”Nonsense! You don't mean to bring a child in here!”
”Again I say, why not? She will amuse and interest you.”
”Well, of all the----”
”Don't excite yourself, Mr. Waldron. You know how bad that is for you.”
”You are giving me some change of thought with a vengeance, doctor! Why should you bring a nasty brat to disturb me?”
[Sidenote: Some Amus.e.m.e.nt]
”I only offered you some amus.e.m.e.nt----”
”Amus.e.m.e.nt be hanged! You know I hate children.”
”I know you say so.”
Mr. Waldron growled.
”She is not so very small,” went on the doctor--”about seven or eight, I think.”
”Humph! Young enough to be a nuisance! A girl, eh?”
”Yes.”
”Girls are not so bad as boys,” he admitted.
”No, so some people think--good-morning.” Dr. Norman went towards the door.
”A girl, you say?” growled old Mr. Waldron again.
”Yes; good-morning.”
”I say, don't be in such a hurry!”
”I really cannot stay longer at present; goodbye.”
Dr. Norman opened the door and stood within it. Old Mr. Waldron fidgeted in his chair, muttering--
”Horrid child! Hate children! Perfect nuisance!”
The doctor partly closed the door.
”I say, have you gone?” cried the old man, glancing round. ”Dr. Norman,”
he called suddenly, ”you can bring that brat in if it will be any pleasure to you, and if you find me dead in half an hour my death will lie at your door!”