"She told me on no account to do so."

Basil glanced at the clock a little anxiously.

"It is too bad," he murmured; "they have no right to expect so much
overtime work. She is sure to come soon."

"Yes; but I think she would like us to begin"; and Doris rose slowly.
"It will save time when she does come in."

It was plain Basil disapproved, but she pretended not to see it, and in
a short time she and Dudley were seated tête-à-tête, while the invalid
remained on his couch. They were gay from spontaneity of pleasure, and
Hal would have been surprised at the cheeriness of het grave brother,
had she seen how he responded to Doris's playful mood.

Then Ethel"s key sounded in the door, and it was as though a slight
shadow fell upon them. Doris wished she had been later still; Dudley
seemed to grow grave again, from habit, and Basil watched the door like
a big devoted dog, with eyes of hungry love.

As she entered her first glance was for him, and her nod and smile ere
she turned to greet the visitor hid all her own weariness, and was
reflected in a light of glad welcome on the sick man's face.

"I'm so glad you didn't wait," she said; "I stayed to get the
drawing-paper."

"But why did you, dear?" he asked, with quick remonstrance. "Doris
could easily have gone to-morrow."