over a candid brow, and sweet, frank eyes.

"Dr. King?" she said smiling.

"Doesn't resemble her in the least," the doctor thought, getting on
his feet, and putting out a friendly, hand. "I am just in from Old
Chester," he said, "and I thought I'd come and say how-do-you-do to
your father, and tell you the latest news of Mrs. Richie--"

The front door banged, and Lloyd Pryor pushed aside the curtain.--
William had wondered what Martha would say to a curtain instead of a
door! His blank panic as he heard the doctor's last word, turned his
face white. ("Bad heart?" William asked himself.)

"_Dr. King!_ Alice, you needn't wait."

Alice, nodding pleasantly, left them, and her father, setting his
teeth, looked out through his curling eyelashes with deadly
intentness.

"Thought I'd come in and say how-do-you-do?" William King said, hungry
and friendly, but a little bewildered.

"Oh," said Mr. Pryor.

William put out his hand; there was a second's hesitation, then Lloyd
Pryor took it--and dropped it quickly.

"All well?" the doctor asked awkwardly.