She parted from Sarah Griffin at the door of the club, and drove to St.
John's Wood in a hansom. The repose of the house had not been stirred in
her absence. Aunt Jane, Aunt Ruth, Molossus, and Scipio, all were in
their accustomed places.
"And here is another letter for you, my dear," said Aunt Jane. "I hope
the other brought good news?"
Claudia blushed a healthy, honest, old-fashioned blush. She had
forgotten that letter. Its opening page or so had alone been glanced
at.
Aunt Jane looked astonished at the confession, but with her placid
good-nature added: "Of course, my dear, it was the little excitement of
this evening."
"So natural to young heads," said Aunt Ruth, with a shake of her curls.
But Claudia was ashamed of herself, and ran upstairs for the first
letter.
[Sidenote: Startling News]
A hasty glance showed her that, whilst it began in ordinary gossip, the
long postscript dealt with a more serious subject. Mr. Haberton was ill;
he had driven home late at night from a distance, and had taken a chill.
Mrs. Haberton hoped it would pass off; Claudia was not to feel alarmed;
Pinsett had again proved herself invaluable, and between them they could
nurse the patient comfortably.
Claudia hastened to the second letter. Her fears were justified. Her
father was worse; pneumonia had set in; the doctor was anxious; they
were trying to secure a trained nurse; perhaps Claudia would like to
return as soon as she got the letter.
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