"You should have called me at
once when he left his room. Why didn't you call me?"
"Because I felt myself competent to manage the case."
"You see how you have managed it--I will be down in a minute. Get
everybody out--"
Her composed manner when she came down showed nothing of that which was
seething within her.
She found Jean in bridal-white sitting by the bed and holding the
General's hand. The doctor had been sent for, Derry had been sent
for--things were being swept out of her hands. She blamed it, still
hiding her anger under a quiet manner, on Jean.
"He has had a stroke. It was probably the excitement of your coming."
The day nurse intervened. "It was before she came, Miss Merritt, that
I saw him reach for the rug. I was puzzled and started to investigate,
and then I saw her on the stairs--" She smiled at Jean. Never in her
limited young life had the day nurse seen such a lovely bride, and she
did not in the least like Miss Merritt.
Derry coming a little later held Jean's hand in his while he faced
Hilda. "What does the doctor say?"
The truth came reluctantly. "He may be unconscious for days.
Pages:
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309