Well, you'd laugh to hear the way ole Gurney talks about THAT! 'Course he IS just as much a friend as he is doctor--and he takes as much interest in Bibbs as if he was in the family.

He says Bibbs isn't anyways bad off YET; and he thinks he could stand the pace and get fat on it if--well, this is what'd made YOU laugh if you'd been there, Miss Vertrees--honest it would!" He paused to chuckle, and stole a glance at her.

She was gazing straight before her at the wall; her lips were parted, and--visibly--she was breathing heavily and quickly.

He feared that she was growing furiously angry; but he had led to what he wanted to say, and he went on, determined now to say it all.

He leaned forward and altered his voice to one of confidential friendliness, though in it he still maintained a tone which indicated that ole Doc Gurney's opinion was only a joke he shared with her.