Thedoorwasopenedbyamaid。
　　"IsMrs。Stainesathome?"
　　"Yes，ma'am，sheisatHOME:but——"
　　"CanIseeher?"
　　"Why，no，ma'am，notatpresent。"
　　"ButImustseeher。Iamanoldfriend。Pleasetakehermycard。
　　LadyCicelyTreherne。"
　　Themaidhesitated，andlookedconfused。"Perhapsyoudon'tknow，ma'am。Mrs。Staines，sheis——thedoctorhavebeeninthehouseallday。"
　　"Ah，thedoctor!IbelieveDr。PhilipStainesishere。"
　　"Why，thatISthedoctor，ma'am。Yes，heishere。"
　　"Then，prayletmeseehim——orno；IhadbetterseeMr。Lusignan。"
　　"Masterhavegoneoutfortheday，ma'am；butifyou'llstepinthedrawing-room，I'lltellthedoctor。"
　　LadyCicelywaitedinthedrawing-roomsometime，heart-sickandtrembling。
　　AtlastDr。Philipcamein，withhercardinhishand，lookingevidentlyalittlecrossattheinterruption。"Now，madam，pleasetellme，asbrieflyasyoucan，whatIcandoforyou。"
　　"AreyouDr。PhilipStaines?"
　　"Iam，madam，atyourservice——forfiveminutes。Can'tquitmypatientlong，justnow。"
　　"Oh，sir，thankGodIhavefoundyou。Bepreparedforillnews——
　　sadnews——aterriblecalamity——Ican'tspeak。Readthat，sir。"
　　AndshehandedhimTadcaster'snote。
　　Hetookit，andreadit。
　　Heburiedhisfaceinhishands。"Christopher!mypoor，poorboy!"
　　hegroaned。Butsuddenlyaterribleanxietyseizedhim。"Whoknowsofthis?"heasked。
　　"Onlymyself，sir。Icameheretobreakittoher。"
　　"Youareagood，kindlady，forbeingsothoughtful。Madam，ifthisgetstomyniece'sears，itwillkillher，assureaswestandhere。"
　　"Thenletuskeepitfromher。Commandme，sir。Iwilldoanything。Iwilllivehere——takethelettersin——thejournals——
　　anything。"
　　"No，no；youhavedoneyourpart，andGodblessyouforit。Youmustnotstayhere。Yourladyship'sverypresence，andyouragitation，wouldsettheservantstalking，andsomeidiot-fiendamongthembabbling——thereisnothingsoterribleasafool。"
　　"MayIremainattheinn，sir；justonenight?"
　　"Ohyes，Iwishyouwould；andIwillrunover，ifalliswellwithher——wellwithher?poorunfortunategirl!"
　　LadyCicelysawhewishedhergone，andshewentdirectly。
　　Atnineo'clockthatsameevening，asshelayonasofainthebestroomoftheinn，attendedbyhermaid，Dr。PhilipStainescametoher。Shedismissedhermaid。
　　Dr。Philipwastooold，inotherwords，hadlosttoomanyfriends，tobereallybrokendownbybereavement；buthewasstrangelysubdued。Theloudtoneswereoutofhim，andtheloudlaugh，andeventhekeensneer。Yethewasthesameman；butwithagentlersurface；andthiswasnotwithoutitspathos。
　　"Well，madam，"saidhegravelyandquietly。"Itisasitalwayshasbeen。'Asistheraceofleaves，sothatofman。'Whenonefalls，anothercomes。Here'salittleChristophercome，inplaceofhimthatisgone:abrave，beautifulboy，ma'am；thefinestbutoneIeverbroughtintotheworld。Heiscometotakehisfather'splaceinourhearts——Iseeyouvaluedhispoorfather，ma'am——buthecomestoolateforme。Atyourage，ma'am，friendshipscomenaturally；theyspringlikelovesinthesoftheartofyouth:atseventy，thegateisnotsoopen；thesoilismoresterile。I
　　shallnevercareforanotherChristopher；neverseeanothergrowtoman'sestate。"
　　"Themother，sir，"sobbedLadyCicely；"thepoormother?"
　　"Likethemall——poorcreature:inheaven，madam；inheaven。Newlife!newexistence!anewcharacter。Allthepride，glory，rapture，andamazementofmaternity——thankstoherignorance，whichwemustprolong，orIwouldnotgiveonestrawforherlife，orherson's。Ishallneverleavethehousetillshedoesknowit，andcomewhenitmay，Idreadthehour。Sheisnotframedbynaturetobearsodeadlyashock。"
　　"Herfather，sir。Wouldhenotbethebestpersontobreakittoher?Hewasoutto-day。"
　　"Herfather，ma'am?Ishallgetnohelpfromhim。Heisoneofthosesoft，gentlecreatures，thatcomeintotheworldwithwhatyourcantingfoolscallamission；andhismissionistotakecareofnumberone。Notdishonestly，mindyou，norviolently，norrudely，butdoucelyandcalmly。Thecareabrutelikemetakesofhisvitals，thatcareLusignantakesofhisoutercuticle。Hisnumberoneisasensitiveplant。Noscenes，nonoise；nothingpainful——by-the-by，thelittlecreaturethatwritesinthepapers，andcallscalamitiesPAINFUL，isofLusignan'sbreed。Outto-day!
　　ofcoursehewasout，ma'am:heknewfrommehisdaughterwouldbeinperilallday，sohevisitedafriend。Heknewhisowntenderness，andevadedpaternalsensibilities:aself-defender。I
　　countonnohelpfromthatcharmingman。"
　　"Aman!Icallsuchcreachaasweptiles!"saidLadyCicely，herghastlycheekcoloringforamoment。
　　"Thenyougivethemafalseimportance。"
　　Inthecourseofthisinterview，LadyCicelyaccusedherselfsadlyofhavinginterferedbetweenmanandwife，andwiththebestintentionsbroughtaboutthiscruelcalamity。"Judge，then，sir，"
　　saidshe，"howgratefulIamtoyouforundertakingthiscrueltask。Iwasherschoolfellow，sir，andIloveherdearly；butshehasturnedagainstme，andnow，oh，withwhathorrorshewillregardme!"
　　"Madam，"saidthedoctor，"thereisnothingmoremeanandunjustthantojudgeothersbyeventsthatnonecouldforesee。Yourconscienceisclear。Youdidyourbestformypoornephew:butFatewilleditotherwise。Asformyniece，shehasmanyvirtues，butjusticeisoneyoumustnotlookforinthatquarter。Justicerequiresbrains。It'savirtuetheheartdoesnotdealin。Youmustbecontentwithyourowngoodconscience，andanoldman'sesteem。Youdidallforthebest；andthisverydayyouhavedoneagood，kindaction。Godblessyouforit!"
　　Thenhelefther；andnextdayshewentsadlyhome，andformanyalongdaythehollowworldsawnothingofCicelyTreherne。
　　WhenMr。Lusignancamehomethatnight，Dr。Philiptoldhimthemiserablestory，andhisfears。Hereceivedit，notasPhiliphadexpected。Thebachelorhadcountedwithouthisdormantpaternity。
　　Hewasterror-stricken——abject——fellintoachair，andwrunghishands，andweptpiteously。Tokeepitfromhisdaughtertillsheshouldbestronger，seemedtohimchimerical，impossible。However，Philipinsisteditmustbedone；andhemustmakesomeexcuseforkeepingoutofherway，orhismannerwouldrousehersuspicions。
　　Heconsentedreadilytothat，andindeedleftalltoDr。Philip。
　　Dr。Philiptrustednobody；notevenhisownconfidentialservant。
　　Heallowednojournaltocomeintothehousewithoutpassingthroughhishands，andhereadthemallbeforehewouldletanyothersoulinthehouseseethem。HeaskedRosatolethimbehersecretaryandopenherletters，givingasapretextthatitwouldbeaswellsheshouldhavenosmallworriesortroublejustnow。
　　"Why，"saidshe，"Iwasneversowellabletobearthem。Itmustbeagreatthingtoputmeoutnow。Iamsohappy，andliveinthefuture。Well，dearuncle，youcanifyoulike——whatdoesitmatter?——onlytheremustbeoneexception:myownChristie'sletters，youknow。"
　　"Ofcourse，"saidhe，wincinginwardly。
　　TheverynextdaycamealetterofcondolencefromMissLucas。Dr。
　　Philipinterceptedit，andlockeditup，tobeshownheratamorefittingtime。
　　Buthowcouldhehopetokeepsopublicathingasthisfromenteringthehouseinoneofahundrednewspapers?
　　HewentintoGravesend，andsearchedallthenewspapers，toseewhathehadtocontendwith。Tohishorror，hefounditinseveraldailiesandweeklies，andintwoillustratedpapers。Hesataghastatthedifficultyandthedanger。
　　Thebestthinghecouldthinkofwastobuythemall，andcutouttheaccount。Hedidso，andbroughtallthepapers，thusmutilated，intothehouse，andsentthemintothekitchen。Hesaidtohisoldservant，"ThesemayamuseMr。Lusignan'speople，andI
　　haveextractedallthatinterestsme。"
　　Bythesemeanshehopedthatnoneoftheservantswouldgoandbuymoreofthesesamepaperselsewhere。
　　Notwithstandingtheseprecautions，hetookthenurseapart，andsaid，"Now，youareanexperiencedwoman，andtobetrustedaboutanexcitablepatient。Mind，IobjecttoanyfemaleservantenteringMrs。Staines'sroomwithgossip。Keepthemoutsidethedoorforthepresent，please。Oh，andnurse，ifanythingshouldhappen，likelytogrieveortoworryher，itmustbekeptfromherentirely:canItrustyou?"
　　"Youmay，sir。"
　　"Ishalladdtenguineastoyourfee，ifshegetsthroughthemonthwithoutashockordisturbanceofanykind。"
　　Shestaredathim，inquiringly。Thenshesaid，——
　　"Youmayrelyonme，doctor。"
　　"IfeelImay。Still，shealarmsme。Shelooksquietenough，butsheisveryexcitable。"
　　NotalltheseprecautionsgaveDr。Philipanyrealsenseofsecurity；stilllessdidtheytoMr。Lusignan。Hewasnotatenderfather，insmallthings，buttheideaofactualdangertohisonlychildwasterribletohimandhenowpassedhislifeinacontinualtremble。
　　Thisisthelesstobewonderedat，whenItellyouthateventhestoutPhilipbegantolosehisnerve，hisappetite，hissleep，underthishourlyterrorandthishourlytorture。
　　Welldidthegreatimaginationofantiquityfeignatorment，toogreatforthemindlongtoendure，intheswordofDamoclessuspendedbyasinglehairoverhishead。Heretheswordhungoveraninnocentcreature，whosmiledbeneathit，fearless；butthesetwooldmenmustsitandwatchthesword，andaskthemselveshowlongbeforethatsubtlesalvationshallsnap。
　　"Illnewstravelsfast，"saystheproverb。"Thebirdsoftheairshallcarrythematter，"saysHolyWrit；anditisso。Noboltsnorbars，nopromisesnorprecautions，canlongshutoutagreatcalamityfromtheearsitistoblast，theheartitistowither。
　　Theveryairseemsfullofit，untilitfalls。
　　Rosa'schildwasmorethanafortnightold；andshewaslookingmorebeautifulthanever，asisoftenthecasewithaveryyoungmother，andDr。Philipcomplimentedheronherlooks。"Now，"saidhe，"youreaptheadvantageofbeinggood，andobedient，andkeepingquiet。Inanothertendaysorso，Imaytakeyoutotheseasideforaweek。IhavethehonortoinformyouthatfromaboutthefourthtothetenthofMarchthereisalwaysaweekoffineweather，whichtakeseverybodybysurprise，exceptme。Itdoesnotastonishme，becauseIobserveitisinvariable。Now，whatwouldyousayifIgaveyouaweekatHerneBay，tosetyouupaltogether?"
　　"Asyouplease，dearuncle，"saidMrs。Staines，withasweetsmile。
　　"Ishallbeveryhappytogo，ortostay。Ishallbehappyeverywhere，withmydarlingboy，andthethoughtofmyhusband。
　　Why，Icountthedaystillheshallcomebacktome。No，tous；tous，mypet。Howdareanaughtymammysayto'me，'asif'me'washalfthe'portanceofoo，apreciouspets!"
　　Dr。Philipwassurprisedintoasigh。
　　"Whatisthematter，dear?"saidRosa，veryquickly。
　　"Thematter?"
　　"Yes，dear，thematter。Yousighed；you，thelaughingphilosopher。"
　　"DidI?"saidhe，togaintime。"PerhapsIrememberedtheuncertaintyofhumanlife，andofallmortalhopes。Theoldwillhavetheirthoughts，mydear。Theyhaveseensomuchtrouble。"
　　"But，uncledear，heisaveryhealthychild。"
　　"Very。"
　　"Andyoutoldmeyourselfcarelessnesswasthecausesomanychildrendie。"
　　"Thatistrue。"
　　Shegavehimacuriousandrathersearchinglook；then，leaningoverherboy，said，"Mammy'snotafraid。BeautifulPetwasnotborntodiedirectly。Hewillneverleavehismam-ma。No，uncle，henevercan。Formylifeisboundinhisandhisdearfather's。
　　Itisatriplecord:onego，goall。"
　　ShesaidthiswithaquietresolutionthatchilledUnclePhilip。
　　Atthismomentthenurse，whohadbeenbendingsopertinaciouslyoversomeworkthathereyeswereinvisible，lookedquicklyup，castafurtiveglanceatMrs。Staines，andfindingshewasemployedforthemoment，madeanagitatedsignaltoDr。Philip。Allshedidwastoclenchhertwohandsandliftthemhalfwaytoherface，andthencastafrightenedlooktowardsthedoor；butPhilip'ssensesweresosharpenedbyconstantalarmandwatching，thathesawatoncesomethingseriouswasthematter。Butashehadaskedhimselfwhatheshoulddoincaseofsomesuddenalarm，hemerelygaveanodofintelligencetothenurse，scarcelyperceptible，thenrosequietlyfromhisseat，andwenttothewindow。"Snowcoming，I
　　think，"saidhe。"ForallthatweshallhavetheMarchsummerintendays。Youmarkmywords。"Hethenwentleisurelyoutoftheroom；atthedoorheturned，and，withallthecunninghewasmasterof，said，"Oh，bytheby，cometomyroom，nurse，whenyouareatleisure。"
　　"Yes，doctor，"saidthenurse，butnevermoved。Shewastoobentonhidingtheagitationshereallyfelt。
　　"Hadyounotbettergotohim，nurse?"
　　"PerhapsIhad，madam。"
　　Sherosewithfeignedindifference，andlefttheroom。Shewalkedleisurelydownthepassage，then，castingahastyglancebehindher，forfearMrs。Stainesshouldbewatchingher，hurriedintothedoctor'sroom。Theymetatonceinthemiddleoftheroom，andMrs。Briscoeburstout，"Sir，itisknownalloverthehouse!"
　　"Heavenforbid!Whatisknown?"
　　"Whatyouwouldgivetheworldtokeepfromher。Why，sir，themomentyoucautionedme，ofcourseIsawtherewastrouble。ButlittleIthought——sir，notaservantinthekitchenorthestablebutknowsthatherhusband——poorthing!poorthing!——Ah!theregoesthehousemaid——tohavealookather。"
　　"Stopher!"
　　Mrs。Briscoehadnotwaitedforthis；sherushedafterthewoman，andtoldherMrs。Staineswassleeping，andtheroommustnotbeenteredonanyaccount。
　　"Oh，verywell，"saidthemaid，rathersullenly。
　　Mrs。Briscoesawherreturntothekitchen，andcamebacktoDr。
　　Staines；hewaspacingtheroomintormentsofanxiety。
　　"Doctor，"saidshe，"itistheoldstory:'Servants'friends，themaster'senemies。'Anoldservantcameheretogossipwithherfriendthecookshenevercouldabideherwhiletheyweretogether，byallaccounts，andtoldherthewholestoryofhisbeingdrownedatsea。"
　　Dr。Philipgroaned，"Cursedchatterbox!"saidhe。"Whatistobedone?Mustwebreakittohernow?Oh，ifIcouldonlybuyafewdaysmore!Thehearttobecrushedwhilethebodyisweak!Itistoocruel。Adviseme，Mrs。Briscoe。Youareanexperiencedwoman，andIthinkyouareakind-heartedwoman。"
　　"Well，sir，"saidMrs。Briscoe，"Ihadthenameofit，whenIwasyounger——beforeBriscoefailed，andItooktonursing；whichithardens，sir，byuse，andalongofthepatientsthemselves；forsickfolkarelumpsofselfishness；weseemoreofthemthanyoudo，sir。ButthisIWILLsay，'tisn'tselfishnessthatliesnowinthatroom，waitingfortheblowthatwillbringhertodeath'sdoor，I'msoreafraid；butasweet，gentle，thoughtfulcreature，aseversuppedsorrow；forIdon'tknowhow'tis，doctor，norwhy'tis，butanangellikethathasalwaystosupsorrow。"
　　"Butyoudonotadviseme，"saidthedoctor，inagitation，"andsomethingmustbedone。"
　　"Adviseyou，sir；itisnotformetodothat。IamsureI'matmywits'ends，poorthing!Well，sir，Idon'tseewhatyoucando，buttryandbreakittoher。Betterso，thanletitcometoherlikeaclapofthunder。ButIthink，sir，I'dhaveawet-nurseready，beforeIsaidmuch:forsheisveryquick——andtentoonebutthefirstwordofsuchathingturnsherbloodtogall。Sir，I
　　onceknewapoorwoman——shewasacarpenter'swife——a-nursingherchildintheafternoon——andinrunsafoolishwoman，andtellsherhewaskilleddead，offascaffold。'Twastheman'ssistertoldher。Well，sir，shewasknockedstupidlike，andshesatstaring，andnursingofherchild，beforeshecouldtakeitinrightly。Thechildwasdeadbeforesupper-time，andthewomanwasnotlongafter。Thewholefamilywassweptaway，sir，inafewhours，andI
　　mindthetablewasnotclearedhehaddinedon，whentheycametolaythemout。Well-a-day，nursesseesorrow!"
　　"Weallseesorrowthatlivelong，Mrs。Briscoe。Iamheart-brokenmyself；Iamdesperate。Youareagoodsoul，andI'lltellyou。
　　Whenmynephewmarriedthispoorgirl，Iwasveryangrywithhim；
　　andIsoonfoundshewasnotfittobeastrugglingman'swife；andthenIwasveryangrywithher。Shehadspoiledafirst-ratephysician，Ithought。But，sinceIknewherbetter，itisallchanged。Sheissolovable。HowIshallevertellherthisterriblething，Godknows。AllIknowis，thatIwillnotthrowachanceaway。HerbodySHALLbestronger，beforeIbreakherheart。
　　Cursedidiots，thatcouldnotsaveasingleman，withtheirboats，inacalmsea!Lordforgivemeforblamingpeople，whenIwasnottheretosee。IsayIwillgivehereverychance。Sheshallnotknowittillsheisstronger:no，notifIliveatherdoor，andsleepthere，andall。GoodGod!inspiremewithsomething。Thereisalwayssomethingtobedone，ifonecouldbutseeit。"
　　Mrs。Briscoesighedandsaid，"Sir，Ithinkanythingisbetterthanforhertohearitfromaservant——andtheyaresuretoblurtitout。Youngwomenaresuchfools。"
　　"No，no；Iseewhatitis，"saidDr。Philip。"Ihavegoneallwrongfromthefirst。Ihavebeenactinglikeawoman，whenI
　　shouldhaveactedlikeaman。Why，IonlytrustedYOUbyhalves。
　　Therewasafoolforyou。Nevertrustpeoplebyhalves。"
　　"Thatistrue，sir。"
　　"Well，then，nowIshallgoatitlikeaman。Ihaveavileopinionofservants；butnomatter。I'lltrythem:theyarehuman，Isuppose。I'llhitthembetweentheeyeslikeaman。Gotothekitchen，Mrs。Briscoe，andtellthemIwishtospeaktoalltheservants，indoorsorout。"
　　"Yes，sir。"
　　Shestoppedatthedoor，andsaid，"Ihadbettergetbacktoher，assoonasIhavetoldthem。"
　　"Certainly。"
　　"AndwhatshallItellher，sir?Herfirstwordwillbetoaskmewhatyouwantedmefor。Isawthatinhereye。Shewascurious:
　　thatiswhyshesentmeafteryousoquick。"
　　Dr。Philipgroaned。Hefelthewaswalkingamongpitfalls。Herapidlyflavoredsomedistilledwaterwithorange-flower，thentinteditabeautifulpink，andbottledit。"There，"saidhe；"I
　　wasmixinganewmedicine。Tablespoon，fourtimesaday:hadtofilterit。Anylieyoulike。"
　　Mrs。Briscoewenttothekitchen，andgavehermessage:thenwenttoMrs。Staineswiththemixture。
　　Dr。Philipwentdowntothekitchen，andspoketotheservantsverysolemnly。Hesaid，"Mygoodfriends，Iamcometoaskyourhelpinamatteroflifeanddeath。Thereisapooryoungwomanup-stairs；
　　sheisawidow，anddoesnotknowit；andmustnotknowityet。Iftheblowfellnow，Ithinkitwouldkillher:indeed，ifshehearsitallofasudden，atanytime，thatmightdestroyher。Weareinsosoreastraitthatafeathermayturnthescale。Sowemusttryallwecantogainalittletime，andthentrusttoGod'smercyafterall。Well，now，whatdoyousay?Willyouhelpmekeepitfromher，tillthetenthofMarch，say?andthenIwillbreakittoherbydegrees。Forgetsheisyourmistress。Masterandservant，thatisallverywellatapropertime；butthisisthetimetoremembernothingbutthatweareallonefleshandblood。Weliedowntogetherinthechurchyard，andwehopetorisetogetherwheretherewillbenomasterandservant。Thinkofthepoorunfortunatecreatureasyourownfleshandblood，andtellme，willyouhelpmetryandsaveher，underthisterribleblow?"
　　"Ay，doctor，thatwewill，"saidthefootman。"Onlyyougiveusourorders，andyouwillsee。"
　　"Ihavenorighttogiveyouorders；butIentreatyounottoshowherbywordorlook，thatcalamityisuponher。Alas!itisonlyareprieveyoucangiveherandtome。ThebitterhourMUSTcomewhenImusttellhersheisawidow，andherboyanorphan。Whenthatdaycomes，IwillaskyoualltoprayformethatImayfindwords。ButnowIaskyoutogivemethattendays'reprieve。Letthepoorcreaturerecoveralittlestrength，beforethethunderboltofafflictionfallsonherhead。Willyoupromiseme?"
　　Theypromisedheartily；andmorethanoneofthewomenbegantocry。
　　"Ageneralassentwillnotsatisfyme，"saidDr。Philip。"Iwanteveryman，andeverywoman，togivemeahanduponit；thenIshallfeelsureofyou。"
　　Themengavehimtheirhandsatonce。Thewomenwipedtheirhandswiththeiraprons，tomakesuretheywereclean，andgavehimtheirhandstoo。Thecooksaid，"Ifanyoneofusgoesfromit，thiskitchenwillbetoohottoholdher。"
　　"Nobodywillgofromit，cook，"saidthedoctor。"I'mnotafraidofthat；andnowsinceyouhavepromisedme，outofyourowngoodhearts，I'lltryandbeevenwithyou。IfsheknowsnothingofitbythetenthofMarch，fiveguineastoeverymanandwomaninthiskitchen。Youshallseethat，ifyoucanbekind，wecanbegrateful。"
　　Hethenhurriedaway。HefoundMr。Lusignaninthedrawing-room，andtoldhimallthis。Lusignanwasfluttered，butgrateful。"Ah，mygoodfriend，"saidhe，"thisisahardtrialtotwooldmen，likeyouandme。"
　　"Itis，"saidPhilip。"Ithasshownmemyage。IdeclareIamtrembling；I，whosenerveswereiron。ButIhaveaparticularcontemptforservants。Mercenarywretches!IthinkHeaveninspiredmetotalktothem。Afterall，whoknows?perhapswemightfindawaytotheirhearts，ifwedidnoteternallyshocktheirvanity，andforgetthatitis，andmustbe，fargreaterthanourown。Thewomengavemetheirtears，andthemenwereearnest。
　　Notonehandlaycoldinmine。Asforyourkitchen-maid，I'dtrustmylifetothatgirl。Whatagripshegaveme!Whatstrength!
　　Whatfidelitywasinit!MyhandwasneverGRASPEDbefore。I
　　thinkwearesafeforafewdaysmore。"
　　Lusignansighed。"Whatdoesitallcometo?Wearepullingthetriggergently，thatisall。"
　　"No，no；thatisnotit。Don'tletusconfoundthematterwithsimiles，please。Keepthemforchildren。"
　　Mrs。Stainesleftherbed；andwouldhaveleftherroom，butDr。
　　Philipforbadeitstrictly。
　　Oneday，seatedinherarm-chair，shesaidtothenurse，beforeDr。
　　Philip，"Nurse，whydotheservantslooksocuriouslyatme?"
　　Mrs。BriscoecastahastyglanceatDr。Philip，andthensaid，"I
　　don'tknow，madam。Inevernoticedthat。"
　　"Uncle，whydidnurselookatyoubeforesheansweredsuchasimplequestion?"
　　"Idon'tknow。Whatquestion?"
　　"Abouttheservants。"
　　"Oh，abouttheservants!"saidhecontemptuously。
　　"Youshouldnotturnupyournoseatthem，fortheyareallmostkindandattentive。Only，Icatchthemlookingatmesostrangely；
　　really——asifthey——"
　　"Rosa，youaretakingmequiteoutofmydepth。Thelooksofservantgirls!Why，ofcoursealadyinyourconditionisanobjectofespecialinteresttothem。Idaresaytheyaresayingtooneanother，'Iwonderwhenmyturnwillcome!'Afellow-feelingmakesuswondrouskind——thatisaproverb，isitnot?"
　　"Tobesure。Iforgotthat。"
　　Shesaidnomore；butseemedthoughtful，andnotquitesatisfied。