But this plan, which included a visit from Dora, in order that the dog might come to his new home without compulsion, and which, as modified by Ralph, included a drive or a walk through the woods with the donor in order that the dog might learn to follow him, needed Miriam’s cooeperation.  And this cooeperation he could not induce her to give.  She seemed to have all sorts of reasons for putting off the invitation for which Miss Bannister was evidently waiting.  Of course there was no reason for waiting, but girls are queer.  A word from Miriam would bring her, but Miriam was very unresponsive to suggestions concerning said word.

“It is not only ourselves,” said the doctor, in reply to some questions from Mrs. Drane in regard to the intended journey, “who are going this afternoon.  We take with us Mrs. Bannister and Dora.  This is quite a sudden plan, only determined upon last night.  They both want a little Barport life before the season closes, and thought it would be pleasant to go with us.”

Mrs. Drane and Cicely were not very much interested in the Bannisters, and received this news tranquilly, but Miriam felt a little touch of remorse, and wished she had asked Dora to come out some afternoon and bring her dog, which poor Ralph seemed so anxious to have.  She asked the doctor how long he thought the Bannisters would stay away.

“Oh, we shall pick them up as we come back,” he said “and that will be in about two weeks.”  And with this the busy man departed.

Since the beginning of his practice, Dr. Tolbridge had never gone away from Thorbury for an absence of any considerable duration without first calling on Miss Panney to see if she needed any attention from him before he left, and on this occasion he determined not to depart from this custom.  It is true, she was very angry with him, but so far as he could help it, he would not allow her anger to interfere with the preservation of a life which he considered valuable.

When the old lady was told that the doctor had called and had asked for her, she stamped her foot and vowed she would not see him.  Then her curiosity to know what brought him there triumphed over her resentment, and she went down.  Her reception of him was cold and severe, and she answered his questions regarding her health as if he were a census-taker, exhibiting not the slightest gratitude for his concern regarding her physical well-being, nor the slightest hesitation in giving him information which might enable him to further said well-being.

The doctor was as cool as was his patient; and, when he had finished his professional remarks, informed her that the Bannisters were to go with him to Barport.  When Miss Panney heard this she sprang from her chair with the air of an Indian of the Wild West bounding with uplifted tomahawk upon a defenceless foe.  The doctor involuntarily pushed back his chair, but before he could make up his mind whether he ought to be frightened or amused, Miss Panney sat down as promptly as she had risen, and a grim smile appeared upon her face.