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.
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