The doctor came to Jimmy's rescue.

"Has your mother ever had similar attacks to this one, Miss Wyatt?" he
asked.

Christine considered.

"She hasn't been very well lately. She's complained of being tired
several times, and once she said she had a pain in her side; but----"
She broke off; she looked breathlessly into his face. Suddenly she
caught her breath hard, clutching at Jimmy Challoner's arm.

"Jimmy," she said shrilly.

Jimmy put his arm round her; his voice was all broken when he spoke.

"She's ill, Christine--very ill. Oh, my dear----" He could not go on;
he was very boyish still in many ways, and he felt more like breaking
down and weeping with her than trying to comfort her and help her
through the ordeal she had got to face.

But Christine knew in a minute. She pushed him away; she stood with
hands clasped together, staring before her through the half-closed door
with wide, tragic eyes.

"Mother," she said uncertainly; and then again, "Mother!" And now
there was a wild sort of cry in her voice.

"Christine," said Jimmy huskily. He caught her hand; he tried to hold