"
"I shall not," she promised, and he bowed and left us.
The afternoon was fading into evening, and the shadows were deepening
in the room. I glanced about me with a little feeling of apprehension.
"The nurses are still here, are they not?" I asked.
"Yes; but I shall dismiss them to-morrow."
I hesitated a moment. I did not wish to alarm her, and yet....
"After they are gone, it will be rather lonesome for you here," I
ventured.
"I am used to being lonesome."
"My partner's wife, Mrs. Royce, would be very glad if you would come
to her," I said. "I have a letter from her," and I gave it to her.
She stood considering it with a little pucker of perplexity between
her brows. She did not attempt to open it.
"She is very kind," she murmured, and her tone surprised and
disappointed me.
"May I see you to-morrow?"
"If you wish."
"I shall come some time during the afternoon," I said, and took up my
hat. "There is nothing else I can do for you?"
"No, I believe not."
She was plainly preoccupied and answered almost at random, with a
coldness in sharp contrast to the warmth of her previous manner.
"Then I will say good-bye.
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