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Mary had excused herself on the plea of an engagement with Dr Bauerstein

We had a pleasant luncheon, and as we drove away Lawrence suggested that we should return by Tadminster, which was barely a mile out of our way, and pay a visit to Cynthia in her dispensary Mrs Inglethorp replied that this was an excellent idea, but as she had several letters to write she would drop us there, and we could come back with Cynthia in the pony-trap

We were detained under suspicion by the hospital porter, until Cynthia appeared to vouch for us, looking very cool and sweet in her long white overall She took us up to her sanctum, and introduced us to her fellow dispenser, a rather awe-inspiring individual, whom Cynthia cheerily addressed as "Nibs"

"What a lot of bottles!" I exclaimed, as my eye travelled round the small roo original," groaned Cynthia "Every single person who co a prize on the first individual who does not say: 'What a lot of bottles!' And I know the next thing you're going to say is: 'How uilty with a laugh

"If you people only kne fatally easy it is to poison some one by mistake, you wouldn't joke about it Coot all sorts of secret stories in that cupboard No, Lawrence--that's the poison cupboard The big cupboard--that's right"

We had a very cheery tea, and assisted Cynthia to wash up afterwards We had just put away the last tea-spoon when a knock came at the door The countenances of Cynthia and Nibs were suddenly petrified into a stern and forbidding expression

"Co and rather scared looking nurse appeared with a bottle which she proffered to Nibs, aved her towards Cynthia with the somatical remark: "I'm not really here to-day"

Cynthia took the bottle and exae

"This should have been sent up this ot"

"Sister should read the rules outside the door"

I gathered from the little nurse's expression that there was not the least likelihood of her having the hardihood to retail this e to the dreaded "Sister"

"So now it can't be done until to-morrow," finished Cynthia