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"Hallo, Anstice, glad you're not out I wanted to see you"

Anstice ile littleAnstice's ar chauffeur

"Well?" Anstice's voice was not inviting

"It's about that affair at Cherry Orchard" Involuntarily Anstice's arm stiffened, and the other"I was called in last night, and hearing you were ill--by the way, are you better now?" He broke off abruptly and peered into Anstice's face with disconcerting keenness

"Quite, thanks It was only a temporary indisposition," returned Anstice coldly; and Dr Willows relaxed his gaze

"Glad to hear it--though you look pretty seedy thisYou know you really work too hard, Anstice I assure you your predecessor didn't take half the trouble with his patients that you do----"

"You'll excuse un my round yet" Anstice interrupted hi you were called in to Cherry Orchard----"

"Yes The little girl was badly burnt--owing to some carelessness on the part of the servants--and since you were not available----"

"Who told you I was not available?" His tone was grim

"Why, Miss Wayne, of course You know she and Mr Cheniston ca to being seedy yourself"--even Anstice's sore spirit could not doubt the little norance of the nature of his supposed illness--"and they asked ent case of course I did not hesitate to go"

"Of course not" Anstice strove to speak naturally "Well, you went?"

"Yes, and treated the child As you know, she is only a kiddie, and the shock has been as bad as the actual burns, though they are severe enough"

"Have you been there to-day?"

"No--that's what I caht, and left the child asleep; but now, of course, you will take over the case Mrs Carstairs understood I was only filling your place, you know"

"Do you think"--Anstice hesitated oddly, and Dr Willows told hily ill--"do you think Mrs Carstairs would prefer you to continue the case?"

"Good Lord, no!" Dr Willows stared "Why, what bee have you got in your bonnet now? I told you Mrs Carstairs kneas only representing you because you were ill, and couldn't co and see if you were able to take on the case yourself"