DR. SHEPPARD AT THE BREAKFAST TABLE
As I stood hesitating in the hall, with all this passing through my mind, Caroline's voice came again, with a sharper note in it.
"What on earth are you doing out there, James? Why don't you come and get your breakfast?"
"Just coming, my dear," I said hastily. "I've been hanging up my overcoat."
"You could have hung up half a dozen overcoats in this time."
She was quite right. I could have.
I walked into the dining-room, gave Caroline the accustomed peck on the cheek, and sat down to eggs and bacon. The bacon was rather cold.
"You've had an early call," remarked Caroline.
"Yes," I said. "King's Paddock. Mrs. Ferrars."
"I know," said my sister.
"How did you know?"
"Annie told me."
Annie is the house parlormaid. A nice girl, but an inveterate talker.
There was a pause. I continued to eat eggs and bacon. My sister's nose, which is long and thin, quivered a little at the tip, as it always does when she is interested or excited over anything.
"Well?" she demanded.
"A bad business. Nothing to be done. Must have died in her sleep."
"I know," said my sister again.
This time I was annoyed.
"You can't know,” I snapped. "I didn't know myself
[3]
