“I see.”  He was holding her wrist between his fingers.  Very suddenly he looked at Piers again.  “I can’t have you here,” he said.

“Can’t you?” said Piers.  He threw back his head with an aggressive movement, but said no more.

“Please let him stay!” said Jeanie beseechingly.

The doctor frowned.

In a low voice Avery intervened.  “I told him he might—­for the child’s sake.”

Dr. Tudor turned his hawk eyes upon her.  “Who are you, may I ask?”

Piers’ free hand clenched, and a sudden hot flush rose to his forehead.  But Avery made answer before he could speak.

“I am the mother’s help at the Vicarage.  My name is Denys—­Mrs. Denys.  And Jeanie is in my care.  Now, will you look at the injury?”

She smiled a little as she said it, but the decision of her speech was past disputing.  Dr. Tudor regarded her piercingly for a moment or two, then without a word turned aside.

The tension went out of Piers’ attitude; he held Jeanie comfortingly close.

At the end of a brief examination the doctor spoke.  “Yes.  A simple fracture.  I can soon put that to rights.  You can help me, Mrs. Denys.”

He went to work at once, giving occasional curt directions to Avery, while Jeanie clung convulsively to Piers, her face buried in his coat, and fought for self-control.

It was a very plucky fight, for the ordeal was a severe one; and when it was over the poor child broke down completely in spite of all her efforts and wept upon Piers’ shoulder.  He soothed and consoled her with the utmost kindness.  It had been something of an ordeal for him also, and with relief he turned his attention to comforting her.

She soon grew calmer and apologized humbly for her weakness.  “I don’t think I could have borne it without you,” she told him, with tremulous sincerity.  “But I’m so dreadfully sorry to have given you all this trouble.”

“That’s all right,” Piers assured her.  “I’m glad you found me of use.”

He dried her tears for the second time that afternoon, and then, with a somewhat obvious effort at civility, addressed the doctor.

“I suppose it will be all right to move her now?  Can we take her home in the landaulette?”

Curtly the doctor made answer.  “Very well indeed, I should say, if we lift her carefully and keep the foot straight.  I’ll drive you to the Abbey if you like.  I’m going up to see your grandfather.”

“I don’t know why you should,” said Piers quickly.  “There’s nothing the matter with him.”

Dr. Tudor made no reply.  “Are you coming?” he asked.

“No, thanks.”  There was latent triumph in Piers’ response.  “If you are going up, you can give the order for the landaulette, and tell my grandfather I am staying to see Miss Lorimer safely home.”

Dr. Tudor grunted and turned away, frowning.

“Well, so long!” he said to Jeanie.  “I’ll look in on my way back, and lend a hand with moving you.  But you will be all right now if you do as you’re told.”