CHAPTER XIX

oherselfthatshewasterriblyafraidofDr.Stallingstill.Shehadamiserableconvictionthatifheshookhislong,bonyfingeratherandtoldhertogohome,shedarednotdisobey. “Mr.Gay,”saidDr.Stallingpolitelyandcondescendingly,“mayIseeMissStirlingaloneforafewminutes?” RoaringAbelwasalittledrunk—justdrunkenoughtobeexcessivelypoliteandverycunning.HehadbeenonthepointofgoingawaywhenDr.Stallingarrived,butnowhesatdowninacorneroftheparlourandfoldedhisarms. “No,no,mister,”hesaidsolemnly.“Thatwouldn’tdo—wouldn’tdoatall.I’vegotthereputationofmyhouseholdtokeepup.I’vegottochaperonethisyounglady.Can’thaveanysparkin’goingonherebehindmyback.” OutragedDr.StallinglookedsoterriblethatValancywonderedhowAbelcouldendurehisaspect.ButAbelwasnotworriedatall. “D’yeknowanythingaboutit,anyway?”heaskedgenially. “Aboutwhat?” “Sparking,”saidAbelcoolly. PoorDr.Stalling,whohadnevermarriedbecausehebelievedinacelibateclergy,wouldnotnoticethisribaldremark.HeturnedhisbackonAbelandaddressedhimselftoValancy. “MissStirling,Iamhereinresponsetoyourmother’swishes.Shebeggedmetocome.Iamchargedwithsomemessagesfromher.Willyou”—hewaggedhisforefinger—“willyouhearthem?” “Yes,”saidValancyfaintly,eyeingtheforefinger.Ithadahypnoticeffectonher. “Thefirstisthis.Ifyouwillleavethis—this——” “House,”interjectedRoaringAbel.“H-o-u-s-e.Troubledwithanimpedimentinyourspeech,ain’tyou,Mister?” “—thisplaceandreturntoyourhome,Mr.JamesStirlingwillhimselfpayforagoodnursetocomehereandwaitonMissGay.” BackofherterrorValancysmiledinsecret.UncleJamesmustindeedregardthematterasdesperatewhenhewouldloosenhispurse-stringslikethat.Atanyrate,herclannolongerdespisedherorignoredher.Shehadbecomeimportanttothem. “That’smybusiness,Mister,”saidAbel.“MissStirlingcangoifshepleases,orstayifshepleases.Imadeafairbargainwithher,andshe’sfreetoconcludeitwhenshelikes.Shegivesmemealsthatsticktomyr