As Mr.Evringham turned from the closed door he met his daughter-in-law coming out into the hall.
"I've been watching for Dr.Ballard,"she said with annoyance."Idon't see why I didn't hear him come down."At this juncture she paused,surprised to observe that her father-in-law was laughing.She attributed this unusual ebullition to ridicule of herself.
"I only wanted to ask if Julia's illness is infectious,"she went on with dignity."Eloise and I are naturally very anxious.We should like to do anything for her we can,if it is quite safe.""Madam,don't,I pray,for all our sakes,run any risk,"returned Mr.
Evringham,his lips still twitching as he bowed mockingly.
"It would be very foolish,"answered Mrs.Evringham,unabashed."You wouldn't care to have more invalids on your hands.It has been all Icould do to keep Eloise away from the sick room to-day.""Is it possible!"commented Mr.Evringham,smoothing his mustache.
"Not only possible but true,and I wished to go to headquarters and find out the exact state of the case."Again the broker's shoulders began to shake.
"Ballard isn't headquarters,"he replied.
Mrs.Evringham regarded him,startled.She wondered if affairs were perhaps very serious,and her father-in-law's nerves overstrained.She knew that he had dispensed with the afternoon ride which was so important to him.
She grew a shade paler."I wish you would tell me,father,just what the doctor said,"she begged.
Mr.Evringham raised a protesting hand."I couldn't think of it,"he laughed."It would give me apoplexy."His daughter-in-law began to retreat,and the broker passed her and went into his study,still laughing.
Mrs.Evringham stood with lips parted,looking after him.Her heart beat fast.The doctor had called twice.He had come down the stairs in dead silence just now.She knew it,for she had been listening and waiting to intercept him.She had meant to say a number of pretty things to him concerning Eloise's anxiety about her little cousin.Her own anxiety redoubled,and she hurried to her daughter's room and narrated her experience.