Dawson and I both think so." Perhaps he spoke with some degree of bluntness, for Mrs.
Herrick responded with unusual irritability.
"I am very much obliged to you and Dawson," she returned rather sarcastically, "for your solicitude on Anna's account, but I believe I am still quite equal to the charge of looking after her." "Oh, if you take it in that way," retorted Malcolm in an offended voice; and then Mrs.Herrick resumed her smooth manner.

She was a good-tempered woman, and seldom indulged in sarcasm; but things had gone wrong that morning, and her young secretary had made several mistakes.

Anna had at last been obliged in her own self-defence to own that she had a severe headache.
Mrs.Herrick had just sent her to her own room to lie down, and had rung for Dawson to attend her.

She was sadly inconvenienced by this untoward accident, and it was at this inauspicious moment that Malcolm lodged his complaint.
"If these headaches continue I shall ask Dr.Armstrong to look in," she continued tranquilly.

"Anna's services are most valuable to me.