XXX
The Doctor remained at the door while the maid put down her lamp, and he checked her as she proceeded to the blinds and the other duties of the moment.
"Leave the windows, please; it's warm. That will do—thanks." He closed the door on her extinguished presence and he held it a little, mutely, with observing eyes, in that of Dennis and Rose.
"Do you want me?" the latter promptly asked, in the tone, as he liked, of readiness either to meet him or to withdraw. She seemed to imply that at such an hour there was no knowing what any one might want. Dennis's eyes were on her as well as the Doctor's, and if the lamp now lighted her consciousness of looking horrible she could at least support herself with the sight of the crude embarrassment of others.
The Doctor, resorting to his inveterate practice
