People who have much unavoidable standing to do should cultivate the habit of seating themselves comfortably at every possible opportunity." But the stout little person on the hearth-rug was not Deryck.

So Jane stood at attention, and watched the stiff bit of bass wag up and down, and shorten, inch by inch.

When it had finally disappeared, Dr.Robert Mackenzie spoke again.
"So you have arrived, Nurse Gray," he said.
"Truly the mind of a Scotchman works slowly," thought Jane, but she was thankful to detect the complete acceptance of herself in his tone.
Deryck was right; and oh the relief of not having to take this unspeakable little man into her confidence in this matter of the deception to be practised on Garth.
"Yes, sir, I have arrived," she said.
Another period of silence.

A fragment of the bass broom reappeared and vanished once more, before Dr.Mackenzie spoke again.
"I am glad you have arrived, Nurse Gray," he said.
"I am glad TO have arrived, sir," said Jane gravely, almost expecting to hear the duchess's delighted "Ha, ha!" from the wings.

The little comedy was progressing.
Then suddenly she became aware that during the last few minutes Dr.
Mackenzie's mind had been concentrated upon something else.