"I wonder if mother wouldn't like just a taste of this beef,"
speculated the general, moving fussily in his chair. "I believe
somebody ought to take some up. She MIGHT want it."
The man departed with the plate, but returned a few moments later,
impassive--but still with the plate.
"Has she got her hot-water bag?" asked the boy unexpectedly.
"Yes, Master Kendrick," replied the butler.
After a preoccupied silence the general again broke out:
"Seems to me somebody ought to be up there with her."
"You know, father, that she can't stand any one in the room," said
Carroll equably.
Toward the close of the meal, however, a distant bell tinkled
faintly. Every one jumped as though guilty. Carroll said a hasty
excuse and ran out. After ringing the bell, the invalid had
evidently anticipated its answer by emerging from her room to the
head of the stairs, for Orde caught the sharp tones of complaint,
and overheard something about "take all night to eat a simple meal,
when I'm lying here suffering."
At the end of an interval a maid appeared in the doorway to say that
Miss Carroll sent word she would not be down again for a time, and
did not care for any more dinner. This seemed to relieve the
general's mind of responsibility.
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