you listening?' she said.

'Oh yes, I'm listening,' he answered, his smile was reassuring, and
she said:

'Suddenly I felt that--that I must see you. I felt I must know what
was the matter, so I took a cab and came straight here. Your
servant---'

'You mean Ellen.'

'I thought she was your servant, she said that you were lying down and
could not be disturbed. She did not seem to wish me to see you or to
know what was the matter.'

'I was asleep when you called yesterday, but when I heard of your
visit I told her to write the letter which you received this morning.
It was kind of you to come.'

'Kind of me to come! You must think badly of me if you think I could
have stayed away. ... But now tell me, Ralph, what is the matter, what
does the doctor say? Have you had the best medical advice, are you in
want of anything? Can I do anything? Pray, don't hesitate. You know
that I was, that I am, very fond of you, that I would do anything. You
have been ill a long while now--what is the matter?'

'Thank you, dear. Things must take their course. What that course is
it is impossible to say. I've had excellent medical advice and Ellen
takes care of me.'