XVII


Madeline caught at the edge of the table. Had he met Mrs. Abbott?
But even in this moment of consternation she avoided a glance of too
intimate understanding with Masters. She was reassured immediately,
however. The Doctor burst into the room and exclaimed jovially:

"You here? What luck. Thought you would be at some infernal At Home
or other. Just got a call to San Jose--consultation--must take the
next train. Come, help me pack. Hello, Masters. If I'd had time I'd
have looked you up. Got some news for you. Wait a moment."

He disappeared into his bedroom and Madeleine followed. He had not
noticed the books and Masters' first impulse was to gather them up
and replace them in the chest. But he sat down to his proofs instead.
The Doctor returned in a few moments.

"Madeleine will finish. She's a wonder at packing. Hello! What's
this?" He had caught sight of the books.

"Some of mine. Mrs. Talbot expressed a wish--"

"Why in thunder don't you call her Madeleine? You're as much her
friend as mine.... Well, I don't mind as much as I did, for I find
women are all reading more than they used to, and I'm bound to say
they don't have the blues while a good novel lasts. Ouida's a pretty
good dose and lasts about a week. But don't give her too much serious
stuff. It will only addle her brains."