She said to tell you she had fully intended staying in until the doctor had been, but she had forgotten about the Ladies' Aid Meeting.

She simply had to go to that.

She said you could attend to the doctor quite as well as she could and that it was all nonsense anyway, because there was nothing whatever the matter with me." The faded eyes filled with tears again and Esther had much ado to prevent their imminent overflow.
She settled Aunt Amy upon the couch and adjusted the lavender cap without further betrayal of her own feelings, but in her heart she was both angry and hurt.

Her mother had known of the doctor's intended visit and had distinctly promised to remain in to receive him.

What would Dr.
Callandar think?
It was most humiliating.
The Ladies' Aid Meeting was plainly an excuse for a deliberate shirking of responsibility.