"Remember," he continued hurriedly, "you are doubly precious now, darling,
and take good care of yourself till our 'Auf Wiedersehn.'"

"And--and--you will remember that for me too, D-doctor?"

"Who? There is no doctor here that I know of."

"But I know one--Herbert."

"God bless you for that, dear!" he answered gravely.

Mr. Levice, sleepily turning on his pillow, heard the whistle of the
out-going train with benignant satisfaction. It was taking Dr. Kemp where
he belonged, --to his busy practice, --and leaving his child's peace
undisturbed. Confound the man, anyway! he mused; what had possessed him to
drop down upon them in that manner and rob Ruth of her appetite and happy
talk? No doubt she had been flattered by the interest he had shown in her;
but he was too old and too dignified a gentleman to resort to flirtation,
and anything deeper was out of the question. He must certainly have a
little plain talk with the child this morning, and, well, he could cry
"Ebenezer!" on his departure. With this conclusion, he softly rose, taking
care not to disturb his placidly sleeping wife, who never dreamed of waking
till nine.

Ruth generally waited for him for breakfast, but not seeing her around, he
went in and took a solitary meal. Sauntering out afterward toward the
hotel porch, his hat on, his stick under his are, and busily lighting a
cigar, he was met at the door of the billiard-room by one of the clerks.